Young Boys & Girls Play Football To Try To Change Their Destinies
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - No. 82 turns heads on an Aurora football field. TT plays with speed -- running, passing and catching with ease. The 13-year-old says, "It makes me feel happy to play with all the other guys." It's an undertaking breaking the mold considering TT is the only girl on the team.
"I love sports and have done them my whole life and I wanted to play something more intense," TT said.
When TT approached the Aurora Bears coach in the Aurora Youth League he did not know what do because he had never coached a girl before. Coach Michael Shand reached out to the women's semi pro football team Colorado Freeze. The women wanted to help support TT, so they show up to practice every week. TT says the female football players inspire her.
While CBS4 watched a practice we noticed TT is not the only player showing fearlessness on the field. All the kids are beating the odds. Coach Shand told CBS4 the kids practice in a neighborhood riddled with gangs and crime. Some of the kids come from group homes or broken families. They play to change the course of their destinies and they do it wearing weathered, worn-out gear and rundown cleats. With each pass caught and each drill run, the Aurora Bears change the course of their destinies.
The volunteer coaches try to teach the kids to stay off the streets. Many of the coaches are former inmates or gang members. They take the field to make a difference.
The football field is where both girls' and boys' futures are just beginning. The Aurora Bears need footballs and gear, so if you would like to help please go to aurorayouthleague.org to learn how.
Britt Moreno anchors the CBS4 morning and noon newscasts and is the Wednesday's Child reporter. She loves hearing from viewers. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @brittmorenotv.