A Chicago youth and his professional mentor—called a Friend—had a once-in-a-lifetime moment in the national spotlight.

Tylen and his Friend Timothy from Friends of the Children – Chicago took the stage at the 2026 NFL Draft to help announce the Chicago Bears' third-round pick Stanford TE Sam Roush on April 24th.

This appearance marks a major milestone for Friends of the Children as a new grant partner in the NFL’s Inspire Change program, which spotlights nonprofits working to create lasting community impact.

Tylen and Timothy's moment on the draft stage is worth celebrating and a powerful reminder of what's possible when young people have someone in their corner for 12+ years, no matter what.

Read the NFL's full press release here. Watch Tylen and Timothy announce the pick below: