Youth football players are hitting the field to send a message of peace and unity throughout Cincinnati. It’s part of the annual Peace Bowl Classic.“It’s awesome because you can always count on your friends to help you through whatever you need to,” football player with the Peace Bowl Classic, Kenyon Brooks, said.For the 15th year, players are spreading non-violence and harmony through this mission.“You don’t have to have a fight after the game. You don’t have to be caught in the midst of a situation that can cause you to get hurt,” Peace Bowl Classic founder, Pastor Peterson Mingo said. “One day they’re not going to be athletes. They may be businessmen, hopefully, they will be fantastic parents. It all starts here. On the football field.”In 2007, when the program took off, it was met with gun violence.“The first year we had it, the Peace Bowl, a young man was killed right outside the gates,” Mingo said. “We need to show the kids that this is not something that’s going to happen on a regular basis. We need to show the kids that they can have fun, they can play, they can fellowship without any interruptions.”Despite this situation years ago, this has not stopped the team’s work. “We tell the kids all the time when we come out here, this is our peace area. Go out here and have fun and then when it’s all over you can go back to your regular life,” Peace Bowl Classic President Milan Lanier said.Fostering peace through discipline, respect, and collaboration, these founders say is instilling hope in these young athletes one play at a time. If you’re interested in helping volunteer with this organization you can click here.
Youth football players are hitting the field to send a message of peace and unity throughout Cincinnati. It’s part of the annual Peace Bowl Classic.
“It’s awesome because you can always count on your friends to help you through whatever you need to,” football player with the Peace Bowl Classic, Kenyon Brooks, said.
For the 15th year, players are spreading non-violence and harmony through this mission.
“You don’t have to have a fight after the game. You don’t have to be caught in the midst of a situation that can cause you to get hurt,” Peace Bowl Classic founder, Pastor Peterson Mingo said. “One day they’re not going to be athletes. They may be businessmen, hopefully, they will be fantastic parents. It all starts here. On the football field.”
In 2007, when the program took off, it was met with gun violence.
“The first year we had it, the Peace Bowl, a young man was killed right outside the gates,” Mingo said. “We need to show the kids that this is not something that’s going to happen on a regular basis. We need to show the kids that they can have fun, they can play, they can fellowship without any interruptions.”
Despite this situation years ago, this has not stopped the team’s work.
“We tell the kids all the time when we come out here, this is our peace area. Go out here and have fun and then when it’s all over you can go back to your regular life,” Peace Bowl Classic President Milan Lanier said.
Fostering peace through discipline, respect, and collaboration, these founders say is instilling hope in these young athletes one play at a time.
If you’re interested in helping volunteer with this organization you can click here.
