BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Young people are coming together through football to take action against violence in our city. Parker and Ramsay will perform at Legion Field for Birmingham’s second annual Stop the Violence Classic.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan says the Birmingham City School System has lost 20 students in the last few years and he wants that number to stop here.
Players like Parker defensive back Naeem Offord and Ramsay linebacker Marquell Patterson say they came up with the idea of hosting the Stop the Violence Classic to raise awareness of something that affects so many of their teammates – the loss of classmates and loved ones.
“If we fight back, a lot of people will die, and I think that’s not right. I think we shouldn’t have to do that. I think we can do a lot more in this world than kill each other,” Offord said.
They want to set an example that there is more to life than picking up a gun. School and city leaders say that message from peers could have the greatest impact.
“This game is about a lot more than just lining up and hitting each other around the field,” Patterson said. “This game is about us coming together as a community. We’re coming together to do something that has plagued our city for more than 5-10 years. It’s been going on for a long time.”
The game begins Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Legion Field.
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