Sunday in Tampa had two very different kinds of cutdown drama. Around the NFL, rosters were getting trimmed. At Topgolf, Baker Mayfield and Emily Mayfield were talking about growth, community, and how their fourth annual BE the Ball event keeps getting bigger.
The event, run through the Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation, benefits the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. In its first three years, it has already brought in more than $340,000, and the Mayfields said the next target is a big one: $700,000.
That number matters because the money has already translated into real impact. Since the Mayfields arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023, the foundation has helped more than 360 children get access to high-quality early education and care programs. For Emily Mayfield, the cause feels even closer now that their family is in a different stage of life.
“So, this year actually hits even more different than the last couple of years,” Emily Mayfield said. “Not because we have a second kid, but because Kova started school.
She’s been in school over two weeks and she’s already coming home with new skills, new language, things like that. I think it really shows us if she didn’t have that and we threw her into school at five, how that gap could become a really big gap.
It does hit different this year, being parents of school-age children.”
Baker Mayfield has made it clear over the years that he and Emily have put down roots in Tampa Bay, and this is the biggest way they’ve chosen to give back. What started as a maybe-one-time event has turned into something with staying power, especially after he earned a second contract and the foundation kept building momentum for ELCHC.
He said the community has helped push the event far beyond where it began.
“Lofty goal, but the Tampa community continues to rise up and beat those goals,” Baker Mayfield said. “We’re able to continue to reset that bar each year, which is exciting and awesome.
I’m hoping the community gets behind seeing who has the better swing between [long snapper] Evan Deckers and [wide receiver] Emeka Egbuka. Two really pure golf swings helping out a great cause.
“Just for people to have fun, that’s the biggest thing. We do these things to give back, yes, but have fun while doing it. Just creating a good atmosphere and good culture around that, people love to support that.”
The day also brought a football update from the Bucs quarterback, who said he’s eager for the real thing after training camp and two weeks of joint practices.
“Really excited about the team that we have,” Mayfield said. “Ready for the real thing, that’s for sure.
Training camp and two weeks of joint practices felt like a long time away. Felt like training camp was forever.
Ready for the real thing, excited about the team that we’ve been building in the offseason, the pieces that we’re putting together, and for what’s to come. Everyday changes in the NFL, it’s a long, grueling season.
It’s always a fun ride.”
Mayfield also weighed in on the quarterback room behind him after the Bucs moved on from Jake Browning, leaving undrafted free agent Jalon Daniels as the backup.
“I’m proud of Jalon,” Mayfield said. “I think he took tremendous steps from the first time I met him in the offseason to now.
Played his tail off, worked hard, worked on the things the coaches wanted him to get done and for him to progress with. I’m excited for him.”
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