LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) - Rashad Foxworth plays safety for the Long Beach Bearcats. He says his love for football started a long time ago.
“All my life, I cry almost every time we lose,” Foxworth said.
Foxworth says the last three seasons haven’t been good, and is ready to flip the script after an 0-2 start this season.
“We aren’t gonna blame anybody because we’re a team, we’re trying, but you know it’s hard, as we’re trying, we just can’t win.”
New Orleans Saints linebacker Isaiah Stalbird heard about the team’s struggles. That’s why the Saints teamed up with John Fayard Moving & Warehousing to surprise the Bearcats with $15,000 worth of new practice equipment.
“They just gotta believe in themselves,” Stalbird said. “It can be something that can uplift them and something that they also need. It’s bigger than just equipment. It’s also being able to help out.”
“I think it should make us way better. New toys, something new to work with,” Foxworth replied when asked about his thoughts on the new equipment.
Stalbird went from being a zero-star recruit at the University of Nebraska to playing for the Saints. He says it’s been a long road, and that’s why he’s using his story to motivate these young players.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It doesn’t matter what your background is, where you come from, what you’re going through, as long as you believe in the vision that you’ve got for yourself,” Stalbird said.
Pop-up dummies, agility circles and sling balls are just some of the new equipment.
“It allows them to work different techniques, even this little tackling dummy with a bow. I’ve never seen that before, but it’s super cool,” Stalbird said.
Long Beach School District Athletic Director Bob Reeves says the team hasn’t had a winning season since he was head coach in 2017. He sees a bright future for both the varsity and junior varsity teams.
“This equipment will benefit seven through 12 for Long Beach. The kids have come out, and they’re still working hard, and we’re just waiting for that success to catch and build some confidence and really just turn the corner and get that thing going again,” Reeves said.
Players like Foxworth see it as more than just equipment, but a sign that their support system spans beyond Long Beach and South Mississippi.
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