BUFFALO, N.Y. — For so many kids, their dream is to be able to play professional sports and maybe score a game-winning touchdown for the Buffalo Bills. A new line of children’s books is now on the market inspired and co-written by some Bills players who made those moments happen, inspiring kids to do the same, or just reach for the stars.

"When a quarterback stayed up right and running back had space to run, it made everything much more fun," Charles Roberts reads from one of his newest children's books. 

"The common thread in all four of these books? There's two things. It's adversity and perseverance," he noted.

As a part-time author, Roberts has been busy after hooking up with several Bills alumni to write a line of books for the youngest generation of the Bills Mafia.

"One of the bigger things we really wanted to convey is that, you know, you see your favorite athletes on the field," Roberts said, "you know, they're human too. Guys like Stevie [Johnson], they might run right through their obstacle. You and I tend to go around or maybe over them."

The stories take inspiration from adversity like Johnson, a former seventh-round pick and beloved Bills wide receiver, and others taken late in the NFL Draft or who go undrafted to go on to make memories for fans.

One co-author wore the weight of a first-round draft stock.

"Sometimes the people who do the hard work don't get the glory. But for Eric Wood, it's a much different story," Johnson read.

"When he got back on the field, he had no reason to frown. Just like teammates such as Stevie Johnson, Fred Jackson and Ryan Fitzpatrick, he was a fan favorite in this town," Roberts followed.

In any case, it's been pivotal for those whose stories are now being shared to be part of the process.

"Charlie, he puts the words out and puts everything together. But the impact, you know, they say is more real when it comes from the player hearing about Eric Wood and the challenges with his family other than just having to line up and block a 6-foot-5, 300-pound player," Johnson added. "There's some things inside his household that he was overcoming in order to get to that position. So that's what we basically, and putting aside our books ... exposing the obstacles that the that that our favorite players, go through and, give that inspiration to those reading it that they can do anything."

While these books are for Bills fans, it's not just for those aspiring to be one down the road.

"Find the librarian, find the coach, find the basketball player, find the president. Find the superhero, the police officer, the chef," Roberts commented looking at a page of the book where aliens are dressed up like different job titles. "So we're really trying to transcend sports and that, you know, adversity can be found everywhere, but you've got to overcome it in your everyday life."

Every turn of the page is another bit of inspiration for kids in school or even before bed.

"So with minds, I feel like there's a lot of kids out there that can identify with being an athlete. And trying to find your way on the field or on the team," said Johnson. "And that was an obstacle that I had to find my way on the field. And how was that? It was new - utilizing basketball or utilizing something else. And, I think that is going to give a lot of kids the inspiration to be themselves. You can be successful being different."

Every book is a reminder that life is bigger than the game and players.

"So we started with Steve. You think about a seventh-round draft pick. Seventh-round draft picks aren't supposed to play in the NFL for 10 years, right?" asked Roberts. "Seventh-round draft picks aren't supposed to make a lasting impact on the community the way Stevie has. But here we are."

"Eric and his teammates love hearing the crowd roar," the pair read along toward the end of the book. "The fans stuck by their side no matter the score."

"And there you go; you have two full time jobs," Johnson joked. "You know that's what we're doing. You know it started off as it's fun. But yeah, this is real."