Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Jack Brewer of Jack Brewer Foundation Global Ambassadors, pumps up the crowd Friday at the Sheffield Middle High School Homecoming Pep Assembly.

But it was much more.

Sheffield Middle High School’s Homecoming Pep Assembly featured cheerleaders, the band, and enthusiastic applause for sports teams.

There was also a group of special visitors. The Jack Brewer Foundation Global Ambassadors — former NFL players Brewer, Thomas Tapeh, Tommie Harris, Anthony Montgomery, and Jonathan Casillas — got the crowd pumped up.

The ambassadors are in town to support the football team, but more, they are here to encourage young people.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Former NFL players Thomas Tapeh, Anthony Montgomery, and Tommie Harris of the Jack Brewer Foundation Global Ambassadors join the senior class at Sheffield Middle High School in their victory battle cry Friday at the school’s Homecoming Pep Assembly.

“These special guests are… coming to support, encourage, promote, teach, and just bring a positive voice and action to a group and community that deserve the positive impact,” Head Coach Chris Korbar said. “This group will be around for our Youth Day and Homecoming festivities. They will also be attending and delivering their program to the entire Abraxas campus during their time here.”

From prison reform to maternal and pediatric health, disaster relief and worldwide food security, Jack Brewer Foundation programs combat poverty and human rights challenges.

Sports are part of the foundation’s programming and part of the delivery system.

“JBF Worldwide is a volunteer-based organization that was founded on the belief that influencers could come together in their free time to help solve many of the issues surrounding the extreme poor,” according to the foundation’s website. “To date, JBF has delivered over $70 million in medical aid, supports over 35 orphan care centers, has helped deliver sports equipment to over one million underserved children, implements programs aimed at addressing fatherlessness in America’s hardest-hit black communities, and helps bring medical care to over 10,000 women and children around the world.”

The demographics of Sheffield High School and Abraxas Youth and Family Services, which share a varsity football team, match one of the foundation’s missions — cultural exchange.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Former NFL players Tommie Harris, Jonathan Casillas, and Anthony Montgomery — with the Jack Brewer Foundation Global Ambassadors — and varsity football players, join their voices with those of the sixth graders at the close of a pep assembly Friday at Sheffield Middle High School.

“It’s all about the kids and getting them to be part of something that they have never peen a part of before,” Head Coach Chris Korbar said. “I’ve been here for 20-some years and this is the most enthusiastic, most passionate, I’ve ever seen” the student body.

“It’s the most fun and energetic thing these kids are going to be a part of,” he said. “It’s a memory for them.”

In a small demonstration of the foundation bringing influencers around to help, the ambassadors and a large portion of the football team joined the sixth grade to help them boldly deliver their victory battle cry at the close of the assembly.

Of course, the coach has a particular target in mind for this weekend — Saturday’s varsity football contest against Port Allegany.

“I can’t wait to bring a win for them,” Korbar said.

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Former Washington Redskins defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery of the Jack Brewer Foundation Global Ambassadors joins the junior class at Sheffield Middle High School in their victory battle cry Friday at the school’s Homecoming Pep Assembly.

Brewer was on board. “We’re here to see you win a football game tomorrow.”

“All it takes is what?” he asked.

“All you got!”

Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Sheffield High School football players spell out ‘Wolverines’ with their bodies as letters and former New York Giants running back Jonathan Casillas of the Jack Brewer Foundation Global Ambassadors as the ‘S’ Friday at the school’s Homecoming Pep Assembly.