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!

Ultimate Raider Fan Experience Raffle Winner!!

Posted on August 25, 2013 by FAV

A special congratulations goes out to Steve Schilhabel on winning the Ultimate Raider Fan Experience Raffle. Steve and his family are the perfect example of what FAV is all about!

Steve is a long time Oakland Raiders Fan and his wife is a Green Bay Packers Fan. Every year his family attends a game at a different stadium. They just visited their 22nd stadium!
Congrats To the Shilhabel Family! We hope to see you at a stadium soon!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Fans Against Violence, Ultimate Raider Fan raffle. Although your ticket may not have been chosen, please know your support is much appreciated and will help FAV continue our mission to end violence at sports venues nationwide.

We would also like to thank all of our generous sponsors for helping us put together this great raffle package!!

A special thank you to Oakland Raiders Super Fans Raider Man, Gorilla Rilla and Dr. Death for their volunteering their time and their continued support of FAV!

We appreciate your continued support of FAV. Together we will continue to work towards ending violence at our stadiums and uniting fans of all teams to create safer and more enjoyable experience for all fans.

Fans Against Violence – FanShake PSA – Brought to You by TheMadFanatic

Posted on December 4, 2012 by FAV

We are so thrilled to release our first Public Service Announcement for our FanShake Program. The FanShake program and the FanShake Cam was built on the premise that the smallest of gestures can sometimes have the most impact. With the simple act of shaking an opposing fans hand and welcoming them to “your house” you can change the entire mood of your section.

The FanShake Cam first made its debut at the Oakland Raiders season opener versus the San Diego Chargers and was a huge hit! Our hope is that by encouraging fans to welcome each other through the FanShake, we can start to help reduce the number of incidents at sports venue nationwide.

So Next time you are at a game..make sure and do the FanShake!!

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.

ESPN Outside the Lines Fan Violence Episode – Fans Against Violence

Posted on October 15, 2012 by FAV

Sundays during football season tend to place media focus on the match-ups, the players, the injury reports, the spreads and the action on the field. So little is said about what takes place off of the field- particularly in the stands, in the parking lots and on stadium premises. Outside the Lines gives us a look at the dangers of fan violence, the impact it has on its victims and the need to create safer environments in which fans can enjoy the experience of a football game. The necessity of advocacy groups such as Fans Against Violence is also stressed, and Outside the Lines features Kathy Samoun at the opening Raiders game against the San Diego Chargers, promoting FAV’s cause on foot and encouraging fans of both teams to be welcoming and respectful towards one another. Also interviewed is Aaron Curry of the Oakland Raiders, who is a supporter of FAV and the fight against violence. Raising awareness and exposing people to the seriousness of this issue is a great step towards lessening the number of incidents and attacks reported each week, and we are glad ESPN is shining some light on it.

In case you missed yesterday’s airing of “Outside the Lines, ” here are some highlights from this week’s episode.

Fans Against Violence and the Oakland Raiders Introduce the FAV FanShake Cam

Posted on September 25, 2012 by FAV

We are so thrilled to share with you the FAV FanShake Cam™ which was first Introduced at the Oakland Raiders home opener on Monday Night Football vs San Diego Chargers. In all the excitement, everyone forgot to record the unveiling! Thankfully we did not forget to record it at the Raiders/Steeler game so we could share it with you if you weren’t able to attend the game!

We are happy to announce the FanShake™ has been a huge success and has received a tremendous response by the fans!

We look forward to spotting you soon on the FanShake Cam™ so be sure to stand up, shake the hand of a visiting fan and get your FanShake™ on!!

Aaron Curry message to Fans and Contest for FansAgainstViolence.org

Posted on September 17, 2012 by FAV

Aaron Curry sends out a message to Raider fans asking them to end the violence! Wanting join in the FanShake™ Fun, Aaron is asking fans to post their FanShake photos to the FAV Facebook page or tweet your photos to @FansAv @AaronCurry51 with the hashtag #FanShake. Five Lucky winners will win autographed pictures of Aaron Curry!

Oakland Raiders Team Up with Fans Against Violence

Posted on September 10, 2012 by FAV

Fans Against Violence is proud to announce our first team partnership with the Oakland Raiders. We are happy to be unveiling our newest program “FanShake™” and the “FanShake Cam™”. We look forward to seeing home fans and visiting fans interacting in a positive way. In addition to the FanShake™, FAV will have a permanent residence in Raiderville at all home games. We at FAV know that together with the Oakland Raiders, we can make a difference and help put an end to Fan Violence.

As part of the Raiders continuing efforts to provide a safe, secure, family friendly environment, the Silver and Black and Fans Against Violence (FAV) are teaming up.

RAIDERS CONTINUE TO PROMOTE SAFE, SECURE, FAMILY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT; TEAM UP FOR FANSHAKE™ The Oakland Raiders’ Fan Code of Conduct is part of the Silver and Black’s commitment to a safe, secure, family friendly environment. The Fan Code of Conduct can be found by clicking here.

The Fan Code of Conduct also includes parking and tailgate guidelines as well as texting and designated driver programs which continue to help fans enjoy the best possible game day experience.

The Fan Code of Conduct Public Service Announcement, which features the Raiderettes and contains video clips of fans of all ages enjoying a day at a Raiders game, can be seen by clicking here.

As part of the Raiders continuing efforts to provide a safe, secure, family friendly environment, the Silver and Black and Fans Against Violence (FAV) are teaming up beginning with tonight’s regular season opener against San Diego at O.co Coliseum to highlight fan interaction at the stadium with the FanShake™.

The FanShake™, a term originated by Fans Against Violence, will be prominently displayed in a number of ways at Monday night’s contest between two original American Football League and present American Football Conference Western Division rivals.

A FanShake™ photo gallery will be showcased on raiders.com’s “Game Center” as well as on the team’s Twitter and Face book accounts. Fans are encouraged to take their own photos of FanShakes™ and upload those to Twitter using the hash tag #fanshake. The Raiders will then re-Tweet the best photos throughout the pregame and game.

In addition, FanShake™ moments will be videotaped and shared with the crowd inside the Coliseum on the video during the game as part of FanShakeCam™. Fans Against Violence (http://www.fansagainstviolence.org/) is a fan-based organization that aims to improve and enhance game day experiences at professional sports venues across the United States.