Tragedy Strikes Kansas City Chiefs Community and NFL Fans Nationwide

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Julie

As week 13 of the 2012 NFL season comes to a close, we are left to process the impact of yesterdays tragedy in Kansas City. Details of the murder/suicide involving Kansas City Chief Javon Belcher, and his girlfriend Kassandra Perkins, will continue to surface. We might gain perspective on what could possibly have driven Belcher to commit such an act, yet none of that will ease the pain of the loss. Nor will it return 3 month old Zoey Belcher’s parents to her.

Our friends in the Kansas City Chief community are hurting, and we want them to know that fans across the league support them as they recover. As NFL fans, these are times when rivalries and team allegiance falls to the wayside. It’s an opportunity for us to see we are all members of a much larger affiliation. And perhaps, we can take the effort to view our NFL players in a different light. These men who play for our teams are sons, fathers, husbands, uncles, brothers, friends… They are simply people. Their celebrity does not exclude them from the stressors and pains of life.

In his post game press conference, KC Chief QB Brady Quinn offered, “We live in a society of social networks. Twitter pages and Facebook. That’s fine and stuff, but you know we have contact with our work associates, our family, our friends, and it seems like half the time we’re more preoccupied with our phone and other things going on, than the actual relationships we have in front of us. Hopefully people can learn from this and try to actually figure out if someone’s battling something deeper on the inside than what they’re revealing on a day to day basis.” As the Holiday season is now upon us, this is the best time of year to take his words to heart.

We at Fans Against Violence would like to extend our prayers and our sincerest condolences to the entire Kansas City Chiefs Family and everyone who has been touched by this tragedy.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233): Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, this line is a resource for safety information and can connect any caller with shelters and protection advocates in her area.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255): Suicide hotline, 24/7 free and confidential, nationwide network of crisis centers.

Raiders Report – Fans Against Violence and the Oakland Raiders Visit the Boys 2 Men Youth Outreach

Posted on November 30, 2012 by FAV

On November 26, 2012, Fans Against Violence along with the Oakland Raiders teamed up to speak with the children at the Boys 2 Men/Girls to Women Youth Outreach about the importance of sportsmanship.

To view full episode please visit Raiders.com

FAV & Raiders Derek Hagan Visit Boys 2 Men Outreach Photo Album

In September FAV held a raffle for tickets to the Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos game on December 6, 2012. The winner of the tickets, Michael Sottile of New York, graciously donated the tickets back to FAV and asked that we give the tickets to some kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a Raider game.

We were thrilled at the prospect of giving a child such a wonderful opportunity. We immediately contacted the Oakland Raiders who also jumped on the opportunity to make this a very special day. Along with the tickets to the game, the Oakland Raiders donated Field passes for the kids.

We immediately contacted the Boys 2 Men Youth Outreach group and held a contest, asking each child to write a sentence on what we can do to end violence.

We were thrilled to be joined by Oakland Raiders Wide Receiver Derek Hagan in picking and announcing the three winners. We are also very grateful to have super fans Gorilla Rilla & the Pirate, as well as, Dont Even from the Hazmat Boyz for come down and show their support for FAV and make the day so special for some very well deserving children. It was a very memorable day for them and FAV.

Here are a few of the entries from the children of Boys to Men Youth Outreach
BOYS 2 MEN YOUTH OUTREACH

Helping to decrease the violence in the Oakland community!

By…….

James (10): Having Confidence in yourself and self-control.

Solomon (10): Having Integrity, Discipline, and Honor, leading positive.

Jordan (10): By showing others Respect and having a positive outlook on life.

Arnell (5): By having Discipline – Training that teaches one to obey rules and to control ones behavior.

Allen (10): By showing love to everyone.

Flore (8) and Flora (8): Having pride in your- self.

George (5): To be good and respectful.

The winning entries:

Damariye (11): By following our 5 daily words: Discipline, Morals, Integrity, Self-Esteem, and Respect, alone with some Love and that will make all the fans safe and happy.

Julia (11): By having Morals – Principles of right and wrong.

Joseph (13): Leading by example, To be respectful of our self and others.

Tennessee State University Quarterback Michael German Teams up with Fans Against Violence

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Anna Mohr

” Real fans let their team do the fighting in between the whistle. Stop fan violence!” ~Michael German

Fans Against Violence is excited to welcome our newest and first collegiate supporter, Michael German of Tennessee State University. Michael is the starting quarterback for the Tigers, and in addition to being a star athlete he is a staunch supporter of Fans Against Violence and our mission to ensure safety in the stands.

Michael is a Florida native, and began his football career at a very young age. Early on it became evident to his family and coaches that he was a natural. He earned the Most Valuable Player award in his freshman and junior years, two of his many achievements during his tenure at Blanche Ely High School. He was recruited by Tennessee State and made his debut in the 2011 season. During his rookie year, Michael completed 140 passes for 1,899 yards and led his team with 12 touchdowns. He garnered Freshman of the Year honors and was chosen to the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) New-Comer Team. Michael is currently in his sophomore year at Tennessee State, and has a very bright and promising future ahead of him.

Our athlete supporters shine light on the problem of fan violence from a different perspective. Michael, like many athletes, must concern himself with his family and fans’ safety while trying to play his game. While his focus should be on football, Michael worries about his devoted parents, who attend almost every one of his games. Violence is not restricted to the professional level, and he realizes the need to raise awareness everywhere, from little leagues to the NFL. We are grateful for his support and wish him the best of luck this 2012 season!

Titans WR O.J. Murdock Tragic Suicide – Dies at Age 25

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Anna Mohr

It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of Orenthal James “O.J.” Murdock, wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. Murdock died Monday, July 30, 2012 in front of his alma mater, Middleton High School, in Tampa Bay, Florida as the result of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound. He was 25 years old.

Titans WR O.J. Murdock

We must remember that suicide is also an act of violence- upon oneself. In fact, approximately 50% of deaths due to violence per year are attributed to suicide. While all suicides can not be prevented, we can work, as a community, to minimize them, just as we strive to assuage the violence to which fans subject one another in the stands.

As football fans, advocates against violence and human beings, our deepest condolences are extended to the Murdock family, the Tennessee Titans organization and Mr. Murdock’s fans. He displayed immense talent and potential during his brief life, and he will be missed by many.