NYPD Community Affairs and the New York City Police Foundation help organize an epic final game between the Harlem Giants and the New York Giants.
New York Giants players Daniel Jones, Julian Love and Tae Crowder arrived at PS 175 to the excited cheers of the students, who were overwhelmed to not only meet but play with their sporting heroes. At the event, the Giants guided the kids – known locally as the Harlem Giants – through a series of professional training drills. From catching soccer balls thrown in Jones’ way to trying to dodge tackles from Love and Crowder.
The purpose of the event was to promote healthy, active lifestyles for youth while building connections between the community and the NYPD. With summer coming to an end, the Giants wanted to make sure students were staying mobile and not reverting to a pure video game lifestyle.
“The main thing we were trying to do was try to get the kids out there to be more fit and let them know to stop staying home and playing video games,” said Mark Stewart, Deputy Commissioner for Community Affairs, across from the New York Metro. “Look at your smile. look at my smile look at her smile All are happy. It’s a great day.”
Before the games the children would sit and listen to the famous players talk about their own hobbies as children and show that they were not so different from the young men and women they look up to.
“My favorite thing growing up was just playing outside. I grew up with three siblings, so we’re always out there doing something, whether it was football, basketball, baseball, soccer, whatever, we did it,” Jones said.
The players not only taught the youth about football, but also took selfies and signed autographs. The New York City Police Foundation believed these moments illustrated the importance of such events.
“It’s important not just for the Police Foundation, but for the city right now to build bridges. It’s an opportunity to break down stereotypes so everyone can come together,” Susan Birnbaum, president and CEO of the New York City Police Foundation, told amNewYork Metro. “It’s better than I ever imagined. Look at those happy faces!”
