Touchdown Pass Foundation Dylan Gandhi, Eaon McQuade and MJ Jones Jr.

Kids to Know: Touchdown Pass Foundation: Dylan Gandhi, Eaon McQuade, MJ Jones Jr.

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While the life-long values of being on a team and playing competitive sports are priceless, access to football comes at a cost – shoulder pads, cleats and gloves, plus training and registration fees. But, what if accessibility and affordability could be improved? Meet the kids that are changing the game, Touchdown Pass Foundation leaders Dylan Gandhi, Eaon McQuade and MJ Jones Jr.

What inspired you to create something new to serve local children?

Dylan Gandhi: My brother and I have played sports for many years … we were constantly outgrowing our equipment every season, and I figured that other people probably had equipment that they didn’t need anymore. I started thinking that if people could donate unwanted or outgrown equipment, then we could get it in the hands of kids who could use it.

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Also, the cost of participating in football leagues and camps can be expensive. I wanted to start collecting money so that if a kid wanted to join a football league or go to football camp, they could have a place where he or she could get the money to play.

 

Why do you think it’s important for kids to have access to team sports? 

Dylan Gandhi: Team sports like football are important because they bring people together. I have made so many friends playing sports. Knowing my teammates and coaches are depending on me makes me want to show up for practice and do my best every time.

 

How do you carry out your mission in the community?

MJ Jones Jr: Our mission is to make football accessible to all youth in the Tampa Bay Area regardless of cost of equipment or registration fees. One way we have been carrying out our mission is by registering for community events that serve kids and families in Tampa Bay such as the Tampa Bay Kids Expo (February 2025).

At the Expo, we plan to give out information about our organization and tell people about how we can help them.

We have also been talking to local youth organizations and youth football leagues to offer them equipment and funding. In the spring we plan to make a team donation to our local Tri County Youth Football team.

Eaon McQuade: Our biggest community outreach project so far has been partnering with A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay. We packed individual bags filled with holiday treats, mini footballs, water bottles, socks and toiletries for each child. Knowing we were doing something nice for other kids was a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

 

Who have been your greatest supporters of this initiative?

Eaon McQuade: We have been fortunate to have the support of our families, our teammates who have donated equipment, the Carrollwood Day School Athletic Department who allowed us to place a donation box in our school gym, and our CDS football coaches Marshall McDuffy and Jim Shea.

Coach Ray McNeil of The Trench Academy and Coach Yo Murphy of House of Athlete have also allowed us to place donation boxes in their training facilities and have shared information about the foundation on their social media accounts.

We would like to work with other schools and training facilities in the Tampa Bay area to have donation boxes placed in their gyms. We would also love to have the opportunity to partner with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, University of South Florida’s football team and stores like Dick’s or Academy Sports to receive equipment donations.

 

How can the community get involved and support you?

Eaon McQuade: By spreading the word about our foundation through social media, making equipment and monetary donations, and referring organizations and individuals who need new and gently used football equipment to us.

 

What are your organization’s goals for 2025?

Dylan Gandhi: We want to connect with youth football leagues throughout Tampa Bay to collect and distribute equipment. We also want to increase the number of donation collection box locations throughout Tampa Bay.

In 2025 we are hoping to partner with schools that have middle school and high school football teams. We hope that other local schools will allow us to place collection boxes in their gyms and locker rooms.

We also want to increase our number of volunteers. It’s also important that we apply for grant funding and find creative ways of fund raising.

MJ Jones Jr: We would like to reach out to more youth and have others reach out to us when in need of assistance. We want to be able to provide more opportunities for the youth to be able to play the game we love so much.

 

What do you each like most about growing up in Tampa Bay?

Dylan Gandhi: Living close to the beach and water. The weather is usually sunny and warm, so it’s great for playing sports.

Another thing that I like is going to Busch Gardens and riding roller coasters. It’s cool that there is an amusement park in our city. The best thing about our city is the professional sports teams. I love that we have the Bucs, Rays, and Lightning all right here in Tampa!

Eaon McQuade: We are able to play outdoor sports like football year round. I also like having local teams to watch like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the USF Bulls.

MJ Jones Jr: I like that the weather in Florida allows for me to play football year round. Tampa Bay has so many organizations like Under the Lights Flags Football 7on7 that allows me to compete.

Featured Image left to right: Dylan Gandhi, MJ Jones Jr., Eaon McQuade | Originally published in the January 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.