Including the Wolverines

At a visit to the Big House in August, Buddies were on the field for almost an hour, hanging out with the team members who autographed T-shirts and whatever else they brought. They were each paired with a player who “really took the buddy under his wing and made sure they got autographs,” says Buddies staffer Lydia Goff. | Photo courtesy of Best Buddies

In January 2023, when Lydia Goff was working on her Master of Social Work at the U-M, she met two classmates: Wolverine quarterback Jack Tuttle and center Drake Nugent (now on the San Francisco 49ers). Goff was a longtime volunteer with Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to ending the isolation of those with IDD by pairing college students and community members with people with disabilities for one-on-one interactions and by hosting monthly events for everyone involved.

Tom Brady was a donor to Best Buddies, Goff knew. Why not invite Tuttle and Nugent to become involved? They were all in and started showing up at Buddy events.

Soon Goff, who has since became lead program manager of the national expansion team at Best Buddies, learned about Hail! Impact. The donor-funded Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program that compensates athletes for charitable work brings together U-M football players and organizations that include Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor, the Humane Society of Huron Valley, Hope Clinic—and, after Goff got in touch, Best Buddies.

Goff and Chin Weerappuli, cofounder of Hail! Impact, launched the liaison with a pizza party and field day in July at Lillie Park on Platt Rd. Twelve players joined about thirty-five buddies. “We were able to facilitate that and take care of all expenses,” Weerappuli says. Although the athletes receive compensation, that’s not the only reason some participate.

Tuttle’s mother was a special ed teacher early in her career. “She taught me the importance of doing something that can change someone’s life,” he says. He enjoys getting together with buddies, and some have become attached to him. And that “touches my heart so much.”

Goff introduced buddy Evan Bursch to Tuttle a year-and-a-half ago. “They, like, instantly hit it off … and they just have developed such a genuine friendship through Best Buddies. … It’s the most precious thing ever,” says Goff.

Bursch is “really thankful for Jack. … He’s my hero. I’m really thankful to the whole team for getting involved in Best Buddies. It makes me really happy and proud.”

The friendship between buddy Jaishaun Rayford and wide receiver Semaj Morgan also impresses Goff. “They have the exact same personality, and they just hit it off right away. This past Saturday, I took Jaishaun to the football game with me, and we found Semaj after. And they were, like, ‘What’s up brother?’ We also saw Jack afterwards. They treat the buddies like they’re so important and really make them feel seen.”

“I’m truly honored to be part of the Michigan football team club,” says Rayford, an enthusiastic Wolverine fan. “They make me feel like I’m really important to them. I [was] on the field with them. That’s amazing. … Semaj Morgan always believed in me. He is a wonderful friend—Jack Tuttle as well.” 

Tuttle prepared the team for the next Buddies/Hail! Impact event—a visit to the Big House in August. Buddies were on the field for almost an hour, hanging out with the team members who autographed T-shirts and whatever else they brought. They were each paired with a player who “really took the buddy under his wing and made sure they got autographs,” says Goff.

“They were treated like VIPs. I know everyone who participated, both buddies and football players, will always remember this.”

The players appreciate Goff as much as she does them. “Lydia is an unbelievable person. I want to shout out how selfless she is,” says Tuttle. “The time and effort she gives to people with special needs is amazing.”

Goff encountered a person on the autism spectrum early on, and seeing someone struggle socially affected her. She’s been involved in the disability movement since she was four, as an “ambassador” to the disabled in her preschool. She became involved with Best Buddies in her Northern Virginia high school, serving as president of her school’s chapter.

After earning her MSW, saying yes to a job offer from Best Buddies was natural. “It’s really changed me, and I want to bring that into more schools and communities …

“Throughout my entire life, I’ve always been, you know, looking out for those with IDD and trying to change the schools and communities that I’m a part of to look out for them. … It definitely shaped my trajectory into social work.” (The players, it turns out, often take social work classes because these are offered at times that don’t interfere with football practices.) 

Adds Goff, “I’ve been a Michigan football fan my whole life. I always wanted to go to the University of Michigan and it’s just one of the most amazing feelings to know that this team cares about what I care about. I pinch myself often at this.

“I think it just goes to show that Best Buddies is for anybody and everybody, and everyone can make a difference.” 

Buddy Brian Napoleon helped with research for this article.