Kayvon Thibodeaux is making an impact on and off the field 

Kayvon Thibodeaux is in his third season in the NFL. He was drafted fifth overall by the New York Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft, received early accolades including NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and was selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Through his first 25 career games, he recorded 14.5 sacks—the most by any player in their first 25 games with the Giants since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

Kayvon knows football to be a game of inches, and a game of seconds. Every moment matters. Kayvon leverages the Microsoft Surface Sideline Viewing System between drives to collaborate with his coaches on the sideline and in the coaches’ booth, analyzing offensive and defensive schemes to make in-game adjustments during critical moments. To maximize these moments, Kayvon spends his time during the week on Microsoft Teams, working with his personal pass rushing coach located 2,000 miles away. Together, they refine his technique to ensure Kayvon maintains his edge as one of the most dominant linebackers in the NFL.

Kayvon is also making an impact off the field. He established the JREAM Foundation, which aims to empower youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds by providing access to premier education and essential life skills. The foundation focuses on enrichment programs and attempts to open doors to alternative career opportunities for students. Kayvon is partnering with Microsoft to donate Surface devices, providing greater access to technology for students. 

Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson push each other on and off the field

As first-round picks by the New York Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner are setting records and achieving honors. Both won Rookie of the Year in 2022 for their respective sides of the ball. Garrett set franchise rookie records for receptions and receiving yards in a single season, naming him to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Sauce led the NFL with 20 pass deflections, was selected for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games, and named a First-Team All-Pro, becoming the first rookie cornerback to receive the honor since Ronnie Lott in 1981.

Garrett and Sauce push each other to be better on and off the field, whether they’re competing as teammates or using Microsoft Surface and Microsoft Teams to communicate, extract insights, and create game plans for the upcoming week. Surface Sideline Viewing System/Surface helps them on the field by gaining more insight into their opponent’s plays, enabling them to make adjustments and achieve success during the game.

Microsoft Surface helps them organize their schedules, allowing time to give back to their communities—something they both value. Between games, Garrett prepares for and hosts a weekly radio show that runs through the season, and recently designed uniforms for a local high school. Sauce frequently connects with his family to continue developing his family foundation, which prioritizes education and is partnering with Microsoft to donate Surface devices.

Honoring Polynesia

Microsoft has been a proud partner of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) and the Polynesian Bowl since 2022. This celebrates the connection between Polynesian culture and football, and extends Microsoft’s commitment to supporting underserved communities. 

For the third year in a row, Microsoft and the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame have come together to provide local students with access to technology. This partnership strengthens student learning opportunities in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum. 

This year, Microsoft hosted a STEAM event in partnership with 4th Family for over 100 students from the local Boys & Girls Clubs Of Hawaii at the Nanakuli Elementary School. Students participated in a series of mock NFL Combine drills, testing their strength, ability, and stamina while learning how to interpret the data behind their scores using Microsoft Surface devices.

Students were delighted with a surprise visit from NFL legends and co-founders of the PFHOF, Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa, and future NFL stars participating in the Polynesian Bowl. Microsoft partnered with the Sewell Strong Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by the Sewell family, to donate 50 Microsoft Surface laptops to the local Boys & Girls Clubs in O’ahu to help bridge the digital divide. 

Polynesian Bowl

Microsoft is also a proud partner of the Polynesian Bowl, the premier high school all-star game that unites the world’s top high school football players. The game honors Polynesian heritage and provides an opportunity for players to compete in something they love.  

Microsoft supported players participating in the Polynesian Bowl by providing Microsoft Surface devices for players to utilize throughout the week in the Players’ Lounge. The Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game were awarded with Surface Pro 9’s to kickstart their upcoming collegiate journey.

Opportunities for success

The NFL and Microsoft share a desire to achieve more with a partnership that doesn’t just help athletes make plays. Technology is being made more accessible for students in underserved communities, creating opportunities for the next generation to succeed in any field, whether in football or STEAM. 

In Hawaii and across Polynesia, Microsoft, select NFL players, and the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame are supporting educational programs with donations of Surface devices. Microsoft also partners with NFL clubs to create learning opportunities for youth in STEAM.