New Energy As Turkey Bowl Event For Paralyzed Athlete Resumes

NEW CITY, NY — It's 2021, and the Tommy's Turkey Bowl Football Tournament is back. This year is extra special, not just because the pandemic put a stop to last year's event, but also because there are even more reasons for getting together on Saturday.

(Including corn hole games set up all around the track for those not playing football.)

Two years ago through the Turkey Bowl the organizers raised enough money for a special wheelchair for Tommy McGuire, once a quarterback for Clarkstown High School South's varsity team, who was paralyzed in 2016 in a pool accident.

This past year he stood for 45 minutes in that walking wheelchair. It's incredible progress.

This year, McGuire would like to use a portion of the proceeds to purchase new tech equipment that will help him with his new job. He would also like to donate to Push to Walk, a rehabilitation facility he's been going to that specializes in assisting people with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other forms of paralysis. He wants to pay forward the good fortune he has had from the community.

McGuire joined Patch this week for a Q&A.

Patch: How were you affected by the coronavirus pandemic?

McGuire: I was really no more affected than anyone else. I honestly thought the pandemic affected other people more than myself because I was used to not being able to go out. It allowed me to spend more time with my brother because we live together and we weren’t seeing anyone else.

The hard part was I didn’t get to see anyone else like my friends so being able to do the turkey bowl this year will be like a big high school reunion! The people that don’t really get to come over and see me every day – I’m looking forward to seeing them this year at the Turkey Bowl since I wasn’t able to see them last year.

Patch: Tell me about Push to Walk?

McGuire: Push to Walk is a gym I have been going to since August 2017 and I have been going steady twice a week since then. (It kind of sucked not being able to go there during the pandemic!) Push to Walk is a great rehabilitation gym and they do great work; and basically when I started there I couldn’t do anything – I couldn’t sit up – I couldn’t balance myself for over 30 seconds – and now after 4 years I have made so much progress – I can sit balanced – I walk around the gym for more than 45 minutes. I have gotten stronger and it’s made my life easier.

Patch: What made you decide to contribute to them?

McGuire: I am fortunate to have a lot of things many people in my situation don’t have and so I wanted to pay it forward. And I wanted to help kids worse off than me that Push to Walk helps. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that things could be worse — It really puts my situation into perspective when I see someone else worse off and I want to help.

Patch: What are your short-term goals?

McGuire: I would say one of my biggest goals right now is to become a full-time employee at my job at Saleforce. Right now I work there part-time. Another goal is to continue going to therapy and push myself and make more progress.

Patch: What is the best thing about the Turkey Bowl?

McGuire: I would say the best thing about the turkey bowl is that it shows how much support is out there and people are not quick to forget they are there to help. It’s become a once-a-year event where everyone comes together and gets to see each other and have a good day of playing football. It really is a special day for everyone.

Click here for the website to donate or learn more.

The 5th Annual Tommy McGuire Turkey Bowl has a lot for non-football players as well, including corn-hole games around the track, music, food, raffles and lots of fun.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 27

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Flag Football tournament and corn hole games
• 1-6 p.m. - After-Party at Norcina, ($15 entry fee for free food and drink, raffles, football pools and a lot of fun!)

WHERE:

• Clarkstown High School South, 31 Demarest Mill Rd, West Nyack, NY, 10994
• Norcina, 186 North Main Street, New City, NY, 10956