Tom Fisher of Jamestown, left, poses for a photo with Hall-of-Fame quarterback Jim Kelly earlier this year in Erie, Pa. Submitted photo

There’s a good chance that any player, parent or coach who has been associated with the Jamestown Area Midget Football League over the past several decades has had the chance to come in contact with Tom Fisher.

After all, the Jamestown resident and longtime volunteer coach for the Southside Blue Devils has been involved with the JAMFL in some capacity for the past 30 years.

And now, he will be rewarded for the service and time he has dedicated to the sport.

Fisher was recently selected for the first ever Project Play Western New York Coaches Honor Roll and will be recognized Sunday at New Era Field, when the Buffalo Bills take on the Washington Redskins.

“As far as his impact on the league, he’s been involved in the league going on 30 years,” JAMFL commissioner Branden Maggio said of Fisher. “He’s been a coach that entire time and he’s been a participant on our board for (awhile). Not only does he run a team, he helps run the league as a whole. … He just seems like a really selfless person as far as that goes. … He just does it because he cares about the kids.”

“He really creates bonds with them, and he really goes the extra mile for kids who are in need or just need someone there,” Maggio added.

According to the national Aspen Institute official Project Play website, Project Play Western New York is a nonprofit initiative launched by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. With the support of the Aspen Institute, its mission is to ensure kids in the eight-county Western New York region have the opportunity to be active through sports and build physical literacy. Also, the project continues to work toward making sure every child regardless of location, income, or ability, has access to fun and fulfilling physical activities that build confidence.

“It was a surprise,” Fisher emphasized when asked about the recognition. ” … It’s fun to take (the kids) from where they don’t know anything about (the game) to teach them all the basics (and) watch how they develop. … Just the part of being around the kids, making sure they understand things like discipline and accountability is big. Nowadays, there are a lot of kids who don’t get that and it’s so important for us to make sure they know those things. … But, it’s really a thrill. It’s an honor and I take it serious.”

What makes Fisher’s coaching resume even more impressive is the fact that he’s been battling prostate cancer on and off for the past 10 years. However, it hasn’t deterred him one bit.

“Sometimes I can’t stand for a long time,” Fisher explained. “We actually pull up a bench for me (during games) and the kids come to me for the plays (while I’m) sitting down. … It’s awesome.”

Project Play WNY will host a “Thank You Coach” brunch prior to Sunday’s Bills game and the selected Honor Roll coaches will receive a parking pass, game tickets and will be recognized publicly at some point before kickoff. The Bills secured the Business Class Suite for the event as well.

Fisher is certainly looking forward to the whole experience, as he has been a Bills season ticket holder for quite some time.

“We get to watch the game indoors and (the weather) is going to be terrible this weekend,” Fisher said. “It’s pretty cool. … I really prefer to be out in the elements and in the game. I like that better. … (But) I’m kind of looking forward to being indoors and I might get to meet some cool people.”