Pee-Wee Football Team Raising Funds For Championship Gets Help From Former 49er Patrick Willis
FAIRFIELD (CBS13) — An undefeated pee-wee football team trying to raise money to go to the championship game got help from a former San Francisco 49ers player.
Patrick Willis posted an image of CBS13's profile on the Solano County Warriors to Instagram on Wednesday with a message urging people to help. He also made a $250 donation on the GoFundMe page.
The Solano County Warriors are trying to find a way to make it to Kissimmee by Dec. 5.
GOFUNDME: Solano Warriors PW Florida Trip
Willis retired from the 49ers retired after suffering a toe injury that caused him to miss part of the 2014 season.
Andre Johnson is the man behind the mission to get the team to Florida, but he's much more than their coach. He's a mentor and a living, breathing reminder of the realities and ramifications of losing focus in your youth.
"I was a victim of a gunshot wound," he said. "I did veer off and do something wrong. And you know, that's why I'm here, giving my time back to these kids so they don't take that path."
Gunshot wounds to his back, chest and stomach left Johnson paralyzed at the age of 23. His players say his motivation has not only led them to their No. 1 state ranking, but prepared them to fight for bigger and better opportunities on the national stage.