49er “Waldo” Brings Seahawk and 49er Fans Together

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Matt Gabrielson

Normally a fan attending a championship parade wearing the gear of a rival team would be less than welcome. Initially this was the case of 49er fan “Waldo” (as he has come to be called), but this is far from the case with this brave young man now. “Waldo” has quite the story to tell that shows how large fan bases can come together in times of need.

Turns out “Waldo” is 15 years old and is a ward of the state. So that essentially means that this young man is homeless. “Waldo” lives in shelters and has endured a very difficult life so far. King 5 news in Seattle reports that “Waldo” does go to school everyday and that his teachers speak very highly of this brave young man. In an interview with the Ladies of the Empire, an all female club for the San Francisco 49ers, and we’re proud to say one of Fans Against Violence’s partner clubs, “Waldo” explained his reasoning for going to the Seahawks Championship Parade in his 49ers gear “Just being a Niner fan and getting all the crap at school for being one. I wanted everyone in Seattle and all around the world to know that I was a niner fan and I was no bandwagon!”

Word has spread really quickly about this young man’s unfortunate situation. Longtime 49er fan and president of the Ladies of the Empire, Catherine Tate was so impressed with what the bravery “Waldo” showed that she initially wanted to give him front row tickets to a 49ers game next season. That is when this brave 15 year olds story came to the forefront. Catherine worked very hard to get in contact with the right people and is raising money for “Waldo”.

Catherine and the Ladies of the Empire initially started a fundraiser on GoFundMe.com for “Waldo” to help get him to San Francisco for a game. However, after learning of “Waldo’s” situation this go fund me is raising funds to help with all of “Waldo’s” everyday basic needs. As of this writing $11,365!

Here is what is even more amazing when you see that number its not just 49ers fans contributing, Seahawks fans are also helping this young man. Along with donations on go fund me you can leave a comment. Some of the cool comments from the Seahawks fans are: “12th Man wants to help too”, 12th man Wilson style”, “Several 12 fans offering him shelter in their homes if he needs.

This story just goes to show how no matter what team you are a fan of, we are all humans in the end. For all of the bad things you hear these days when it comes to rivalries in sports, there is more good than bad. Here you have two fan bases that make one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL today bonding together to help a young man in need. For as brave as “Waldo” was to go to the Seahawks championship parade in his 49ers gear, it is nothing compared to the courage he shows every day living his difficult life.

To contribute to Waldo’s go fund me please go here: www.gofundme.com/Get-Niner-Waldo-to-SF

For more information on the Ladies of the Empire: ladiesoftheempire.com

For more information on Fans Against Violence: www.fansagainstviolence.org

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.