The Sunday following the Bucs’ preseason win over the Dolphins Friday night was a busy one on the personnel side for the team as they made roster cuts to get down to 53 players.

On the personal side though, quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily Mayfield had more of a laid-back afternoon leading their second annual BE the Ball event at TopGolf in Tampa, Florida benefiting the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.

Each of them discussed what giving back and providing resources to young children in the community means to them, the impact last year’s event had, the roots they have set in the city, and what Baker is like as a “girl dad.”

Baker Mayfield, Wife Emily Mayfield Trying To “Level The Playing Field”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily Mayfield – Photo by: Adam Slivon/PR

Both Baker and Emily Mayfield took the time to answer various questions about their foundation and what they want to accomplish with their platform before the TopGolf tournament began Sunday afternoon.

“The theme is to level the playing field,” Emily Mayfield opened by saying. “Baker and I both had amazing childhoods and always had everything at our fingertips that we could possibly need, but that’s not the case for everyone. We just kind of use our platform to help level the playing field and provide resources to mostly children in the communities that we love.”

Baker Mayfield then chimed in.

“The motto of the foundation – Be strong, Be resilient, Be successful, Be more – all those things trying tie in the motto as well to level the playing field so that those kids have the same opportunities that we did when we were growing up. Just trying to provide any way that we can, because kids have so much potential. When you don’t allow them to tap into that potential, it’s not fair. We try to level the playing field like [Emily] said.”

For each of them, youth-based initiatives are important, and while Baker Mayfield “is not a scientist by any means,” he recognizes youth education is vital and passed the microphone over to his wife, who is also his “numbers lady.”

“So Hillsborough County is the seventh-largest school district in the U.S.,” Emily said. “There [are] 220,000 kids and 40% of them are economically disadvantaged. There is so much work to be done. We just want to use our platform to do as much as we can and rally everyone around us.”

Baker and Emily Mayfield Discuss The Impact Last Year’s “BE The Ball” Event Had

Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily were new to the city of Tampa last year after he signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Bucs.

After signing that deal last March, they did not have a ton of connections to put together a big inaugural event before it started in August. Still, they made a noticeable impact – and are striving to make an even bigger one this year and in the years to come.

“It was so fresh for us because we had just moved here right before training camp and just about a year ago today,” Baker Mayfield said. “We saw the impact, but then when we got the numbers back after the event and really understood how many families we were able to help, that’s when it kicked in.”

Then he kicked it over to his wife Emily for another statistic.

“Again, to give you a number, we were able to provide and serve 226 kids last year,” Emily Mayfield said. “We were super new to the community, we didn’t have a ton of connections here yet, although we were embraced. Not to downplay that at all. This year — with more prep time and more connections in the community – I think we can expand that reach and make a way bigger impact. And hopefully just keep growing it, from year to year.”

Baker and Emily Mayfield Want To Build Long-Lasting Roots In Tampa

They have the potential to continue growing their reach in the local community, especially after the quarterback locked in a long-term deal to stay in Tampa Bay this offseason. Back in late July, Baker Mayfield hosted his first youth football ProCamp at Land O’ Lakes High School, receiving quite a warm welcome and helping kids create childhood memories.

After starting their foundation last summer, they now have the stability and ability to set lasting roots in a city they have quickly fallen in love with.

“We lucked out,” Emily Mayfield said. “It would have been nice to settle anywhere, but we are in love with this city.”

In Bucs head coach Todd Bowles’ eyes, he not only sees Baker Mayfield having “the keys to the bus” now as a solidified answer under center, but also as someone who is both humble and real.

“I mean I’m humbled by it and I’m glad they’re humbled by it because it gives them the realization that they got to reach back to give and remember where they came from,” Bowles said. “It’s outstanding to see.”

“It doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s a natural at it. There’s no fakeness about Baker, he’s a very real person. Anybody who talks to him or is close to him can hold a real conversation.”

Sunday Afternoon Allowed For Some Fun And Games At The Second Annual BE The Ball Event

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Adam Slivon/PR

Sunday afternoon provided a chance to give back by supporting children, families, and teachers, and also made for some fun under the sun. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans was one of a handful of current and former players in attendance, and he showed off his golf swing.

For Baker and Emily Mayfield though, they had fun joking about what life has been like since the birth of their daughter Kova Jade Mayfield in April.

“I knew he’d be a good dad,” Emily Mayfield said. “He’s a better girl dad than I thought he’d be. He’s a great diaper changer. No, it’s amazing, there’s not a lot of people that can step into literally every role and be amazing at it.”

“It’s very sweet. He is wrapped around her finger. He’s been saying that since she was born, but now that she’s like giggling, staring at him, she just started doing the lower lip thing, and he’s so screwed when that happens. He’s a natural, he really is a natural.”