Oakland Raiders to Hold Moment of Silence in Honor of the “Oaktown Pirate”

Posted on October 17, 2014 by FAV

After emailing and speaking with the Oakland Raiders trying to set things up, they have given us permission to share this with everyone. Aside from their VERY Generous donation of $2500 from the team, $1000 from “MD” (we’ll let you guess who that is) and $500 from Coach Saparno, at this Sunday game versus the Cardinals the Oakland Raiders will be having a Moment of Silence in honor of our much loved friend Azel W.Grasty Sr., aka Oaktown Pirate!

The Moment of Silence will be held at approximately 1:16pm, prior to the singing of the National Anthem, so please get in the gates early!!

Azel gave so much of himself to the community and to the Raider Nation. He was also a coach and a mentor to so many children. He gave of selflessly. We at Fans Against Violence are so happy to have been able to play even a smallest part in making this happen and giving back just a little, in his honor! It was an HONOR knowing him and he will be forever missed!

Raider Fans have also organized a number of events to help raise funds for funeral expenses and to help his family. They are also requesting everyone wear an eye patch to the game in his honor.

Saturday, October 18th (4pm -10pm)
T-SHIRT SALE & DONATION DRIVE
at Ricky’s Sports Theatre & Grill
15028 Hesperian Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94578

Sunday, October 19th (8am until Kick-off)
TAILGATE TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF OAKTOWN PIRATE
at O.co Coliseum (D Lot in the first two rows, near players entrance)
7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621

The family is still in need of donations to help with funeral expenses so please go to www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/honoring-oaktown-pirate-azel-grasty/248925 and make a donation..no donation is too small! Every little bit helps!

Thank you to EVERYONE Else that made these events possible! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all of Raider Nation! His loss will be felt deeply!

Ride the Autumn Wind My Friend…until we meet again

FAV March Against Violence in Seattle a Huge Success

Posted on August 30, 2013 by FAV

Thursday prior to the Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders pre-season game, fans from both teams joined FAV in the first March Against Violence. The NW Raiders Booster club and the Seahawkers rallied their members and came out in full force to show that we can come together, be respectful to each other and have a great time while still cheering for our respective teams.

Purely by coincidence, the Seattle Police Department announced on Thursday morning that this season, Undercover officers would be On the Lookout For Bad Behavior Outside Seahawks Games.

According to the SPD :

“Officers are not looking to throw the flag on respectful and competitive banter between rival fanbases. They will, however, be looking for fans outside the stadium who are taking those team rivalries too far”

The two initiatives together proved to be the PERFECT mix! According to Det. Mark Jamieson of the SPD, there were approximately 67,000 fans in attendance at Thursday nights game. When asked how things “went”, Jamieson gave us news we were in no way expecting, but always hope to hear, “There were no arrests at last nights game”!!

Yes you heard it right! NO ARRESTS, NOT EVEN ONE!

The rivalry between these two fan bases can often be a heated one, so much so that the SPD decided this game would be the game to start this program. Was it the undercover police presence? Was it because it was a preseason game? We cannot really know, but we would like to think we play a part in keeping the officers bored, with nothing to do. To say we are proud of the Seahawk and Raider fans would be an understatement! This game should be an example to rival fans across the league and in all sport!

When we make the effort to be welcoming hosts and respectful visitors , the battle stays on the field!

Thank you to all the fans, NW Raiders Booster Club, the Seahawkers, Raiders and Seahawks for making this such a great event! We are looking forward to doing more events like this across the country!

To see more pictures of the event visit the FAV March Against Violence – Seattle Photo Gallery

Fans Against Violence Announces Partnership with Fam 1st Family Foundation

Posted on August 29, 2013 by FAV

Fans Against Violence Announces Partnership with Fam 1st Family Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco, CA – August 28, 2013

In an effort to o put an end to violence “From the Streets..to the Stands”, Fans Against Violence is proud to announce their newest partnership with Fam 1st Family F oundation and their SOS From Violence campaign(Save OurSelves from Violence) .

Fans Against Violence (FAV) is a non-profit organization committed to keeping the stands safe while encouraging good-will and sportsmanship, and improving the overall game day experiences for fans of all ages in stadiums nationwide.

The Fam 1st Family Foundation, co-founded by Seattle Seahawks’ Runningback, Marshawn Lynch and Cincinnati Bengals’ QB, Josh Johnson is dedicated to uplifting and empowering youth in the Bay Area and throughout the United States. The foundation’s mission is one of empowerment and education ,aiming to build self-esteem and academic learning skills in underprivileged youth.

The two organizations will work together to promote non-violence in communities nationwide targeting elementary, middle and high school age students. The emphasis for their collaboration will be a message of teamwork, sportsmanship and anti-bullying.

They are happy to announce that through this program, on Thursday, when the Seahawks play the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field, they will be bringing children from the local, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and the Juanita Junior Football Program to the game. The children will also have the opportunity, after the game to go on the field and meet Marshawn Lynch. An amazing experience for ANY football fan

The Juanita Junior Football Program is a part of the Greater Eastside Junior Football Association. They have 17 “clubs” in the league for a total of 145 teams. The players range in age from 7-14.

Join us at the game, and help FAV & Fam1stFamily put an end to Violence “From the Streets..to the Stands”

A special thank you to the Seattle Seahawk organization for helping to make this event possible!

Raider and Seahawk Fans Join in the First FAV March Against Violence

Posted on August 28, 2013 by FAV

Raider and Seahawk Fans Join in the First FAV March Against Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco, CA – August 28, 2013 The stage has been set for Fans Against Violence, The NW Raiders Booster Club and The Seahawkers Booster Club to team up in a show of fan solidarity as we join together, before the Seattle Seahawks vs Oakland Raiders Preseason game, in front of CenturyLink Field for the first FAV March Against Violence.

The Northwest Raiders Booster Club (NWRBC) is an officially recognized booster club of The Oakland Raiders and the largest Raiders Booster Club outside of the Bay Area. The NWRBC is dedicated to the idea of fan and family friendly promotion of The Oakland Raiders as well as charitable work within the community both in season and in the off season. In the past, The NWRBC has supported several organizations including Northwest Harvest and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The Seahawkers are an officially recognized booster club of The Seattle Seahawks and have multiple chapters around the country and world and support the Seahawks players and organization, as well as, various charities.

The NWRBC will begin their traditional march from The New Orleans Restaurant and Creole Café, located in historic Pioneer Square at 114 First Avenue S, to ELYSIAN FIELDS STADIUM DISTRICT BREWPUB, located at 542 1st Ave S, where they will converge with The Seahawkers to march in unity to the front gates of The CLink to demonstrate their mutual commitment to a friendly rivalry, sportsmanship and respect.

Fans of all ages and teams are welcome as FAV, The Northwest Raiders Booster Club and The Seattle Seahawkers usher in a new era of respect to this historic rivalry. All media is invited to attend as well as any other fans who will be representing their beloved team’s colors to join in this show of unity and solidarity to sportsmanship of the game.

Join Fans Against Violence in Orlando at the What A Fan Sports Fan Convention!

Posted on July 26, 2013 by FAV

American sports fans have been the foundation of collegiate and professional sports going back as long as the games have been played. The success of the sports industry, it’s Major League Teams, Universities, Players and the Networks that cover them have grown largely because of the contributions of passionate fans! This Labor Day Weekend in Orlando Florida fans from around the Globe will come together to celebrate their passion for sports at the Sports Fan Conference presented by What A Fan.

FAV will be holding a Fan Safety workshop where we will discuss how we as fans can be proactive in our own safety, new security rules, and ways we can come together as fans to have fun and have an amazing game day experience. We will also be unveiling our newest, very exciting program!

Come join FAV , What A Fan and Sports Fans from around the world for this exciting event! Definitely a “ Don’t Miss ” for anyone who has a passion for sports!

Click here for more information and to get your tickets today! www.whatafan.com