Hawks and Cops flag-football game aims to boost charity, police support

Law-enforcement officers in Cape Girardeau County see the symbolism in tonight’s flag football game that will unite Southeast Missouri State University football players with police officers.

Last week, football players reached out to local law-enforcement agencies to play a pickup flag football game in the wake of recent shootings of police officers in several cities and other shootings involving police officers.

As a gesture of goodwill, team leaders suggested police get involved in a flag football game.

What originally was pitched as a players vs. police contest was changed to intermix the officers with players on the teams.

“I think the mixing of teams is representative of how, regardless of backgrounds or viewpoints, we can come together as one team to accomplish something greater than we can divide,” Cape Girardeau police chief Wes Blair said.

Police view this act as a sign of communitywide support for law enforcement and that community policing efforts are working.

The game, featuring 7-on-7 teams, will be played at 6 p.m. today at Houck Stadium. Money raised by the game will benefit Backstoppers, an organization that helps families of emergency personnel who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.

“It’s outstanding that a group in the community, not to mention SEMO football players, are reaching out to us,” Cape Girardeau police officer Richard McCall said. “I’ve seen the community of Cape Girardeau respond to things we’ve done, like Coffee with Cops, trying not to follow what’s going on nationally.”

SEMO head football coach Tom Matukewicz said his players had the idea for the game.

Both squads will mix with Redhawks players, Cape Girardeau police, Cape Girardeau County sheriff’s deputies and Jackson police.

Some players wanted the opportunity to change their perceptions of police, Matukewicz said. He said players wanted mixed teams to celebrate with officers after plays.

“The reason our team thought it was a good idea was to have a different type of interaction,” Matukewicz said. “A lot of times, when you’re interacting with police, it’s not positive.”

Likewise, law enforcement are looking forward to an event that does not involve any type of agenda, McCall said.

“It shows football players and citizens that we’re citizens, too,” McCall said. “And it allows us to see how people perceive us.”

McCall will be one of three Cape Girardeau officers to play in the game, along with Aaron Bennett and Cody Farrow. Matukewicz expects some of his normal starters to play. Sheriff John Jordan, Cape Girardeau police chief Blair and Jackson police chief James Humphreys will serve as honorary coaches.

Jordan said the Hawks and Cops event is another sign of respect from Cape Girardeau County. He said area support for law enforcement has increased since recent violent incidents against officers in Dallas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Kansas City, Kansas.

Blair said the game is a chance to show unity within the community.

bkleine@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address: 920 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO