Washington Commanders support youth football with gear donation

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Youth and high school football seasons get started this month, but getting the gear together to play, like cleats or helmets, can get expensive. The cost could be a barrier that keeps a kid from getting on the field. 

But one local nonprofit, Leveling the Playing Field, and the Washington Commanders are working together to make sure every kid has a chance to play with the gear they need, for free.

Cedric Basima is an assistant coach at Parkdale High School in Prince Geroge’s County. He and some of his staff came to Leveling the Playing Field headquarters in Silver Spring Wednesday to pick up some much-needed equipment.

“Everybody deserves an opportunity, some don’t have the means,” Basima said. “This saves us thousands of dollars because practice jersey costs, we have to replace them almost every year. Cleats, kids don’t always have them.”

The Commanders donated thousands of pieces of equipment to Leveling the Playing Field, a nonprofit that distributes sports equipment to kids in need for free.

“They gave us football pads, they gave us chin straps, they gave us practice jerseys, cleats,” said Phillip Williams, program director at Leveling the Playing Field. “You name it, they gave it to us and we’re really appreciative.”

Former NFL wide receiver and D.C. nativr Josh Morgan was at the event to represent the Washington Commanders, and give back to the community that he said helped him. 

“People have a lot of stuff going on,” Morgan said. “We just want people to come play football and have fun. We know how much of an impact it is. A couple years ago, we had a couple of coaches in here crying because they didn’t know how they were going to outfit the team, they had personal things going on at home. To be able to take that pressure off the coaches, it’s a big deal.”

The Commanders also donated $10,000 to help Leveling the Playing Field continue its mission.

“It’s just going to go back into our organization and help so many more students, athletes in the greater Washington area,” Williams said.