BCS rivalry football game seeks to stop gun violence

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

It's a game weeks in the making, and for good reason.

Thursday's rivalry matchup between Parker High School and Ramsay High School is about more than just football. It's about saving lives.

"I just feel like if people in general, if they come to the game and see how it is and see how student-athletes can get along and play a football game, I feel like it'll kind of show them that we can do this as adults," Ramsay High School football player Tremell Washington said.

For some of the players participating in Thursday night's "Stop the Violence Classic" at Legion Field, they can relate to the lasting impacts of gun violence.

"This is personal because I've also went through gun violence with my uncle, who passed when I was younger," Parker High School football player Malik Muhammad said. "But, now that I know how violence is, I tell my peers, and we just come together. Come together more as a unit. More as one."

Coaches say they're constantly talking with their players about the everyday life issues they're facing.

"Our kids, they're suffering," Ramsay head football coach Ronnie Jackson said. "They're upset. They get frustrated. And so we ask them like, what can we do with our platform?"

That's how the "Stop the Violence Classic" came to be. School administrators couldn't be prouder.

"Actually, I'm overwhelmed proud," Ramsay principal Dr. Carolyn Russell-Walker said. "This has always been a conversation to have with adults about what can we do to pause the violence in the city. But then, when you have students to come to you."

Rivalry game aside, those taking part in the matchup say they're hopeful their appearance and message will be felt far beyond the stadium and make a difference for years to come.

Kickoff at Legion Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday.