TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — With a new man in charge Tallahassee is focused on flipping the page on violence.
With close to seventy shootings in 2019 people are hoping to see major changes.
One organization looks to sports to help make that possible.
Some kids play football to stay out of trouble. When their football playing days are over some turn to crime.
Tallahassee Unconquered is a group looking to mentor young adults and teens to prevent that from happening.
They hope to see opportunities like this help reduce crime in 2020.
"What can you do to help those kids in that area see other things because a lot of times...kids don't know that there's another avenue," said Marcus Dupree, Tallahassee Unconquered Head Coach.
Marcus Dupree is the head coach for the Tallahassee Unconquered.
A football team that gives people an outlet to stay out of trouble.
"This allows us to say hey let's settle down...let's figure out why you feel like you gotta resort to violence and then come up with a solution," said Coach Durpree.
Police say in 2019 there were 69 shootings.
17 of those were fatal and 50 people were injured.
The group believes with Revell leading the police department things could finally change.
"Just to see these agencies actually...lack of a better way to say it...put their money where their mouth is and actually fund some of these programs that are already out here...to be present...not just throw money at it but show up and show that they care. It means a lot," said Luther Lee, Tallahassee Unconquered Administrator.
But there's still work to be done.
Cory Jackson/Tallahassee Unconquered Running Back: "You have the different families in town that could just need more help. I would like to see the city do more to eliminate that economic divide in different statuses and economic statuses," said Cory Jackson, Tallahassee Unconquered Running Back.
"We've got kids that...whether it's home life or whether it's their background from their past...they're looking for an opportunity to prove that they're something that other people might not assume they are. This is that chance," said Robert Rahn, Tallahassee Unconquered Defensive Coordinator.
A brotherhood inspiring each other to be better and for the love of the game is what keeps the team motivated.
The bigger hope.
Shawn Spencer/Tallahassee Unconquered Quarterback: "Just come out and have fun really. That's the main thing. Stay out of trouble...if you've got talent just come out here and put on for the city. It's as simple as that," said Shawn Spencer, Tallahassee Unconquered Quarterback.
The first game for the Tallahassee Unconquered will be at the end of February. Until then they will continue to practice and prepare for the season.
