Youth football league still plays after equipment stolen
VIDEO - Dozens of players at a Jacksonville, Florida park are practicing without much to protect them...
You may have noticed, not all of these heads have helmets and not all of these boys with the Justina Youth Football League have pads.
Cell phone pictures show what coaches found on Sunday in the team’s storage room that doubles as the concession stand.
A covered window was smashed and two thousand dollars in football helmets and pads were stolen. Additionally, $150 in hot dogs and soda were stolen.
This was the food Sandra Johnson had bought herself and planned on selling for a fundraiser.
“They didn’t steal money from me, they stole it from the kids because it was a donation for the kids,” Johnson said.
Athletic director Robert Simmons says his teams can still condition, there just can’t be any physical contact without those 25 helmets.
“It set us back three or four steps,” Simmons said.
Despite the setback, the team still has some equipment and hopes to recover in time to play the first game next month.
Parents say it’s yet another blow to these young players.
“The kids are trying very hard. The parents are trying very hard too to keep these kids off the streets. So, why take stuff from the kids,” one parent said.
As the 60 players in this three team league build strength, Coach Simmons has a message for the burglar.
“Why would you steal from kids? If you need it, we give it you,” Simmons said.
The team has already received some donated helmets but still has a long way to go before their equipment shelves are restocked.
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