Episode 10: Al Powell & Jim Place— “Win Little Battles—Tackling Racism and Social Justice Through Football”

Truth In The Arena by Nate Huffstutter

Episode notes

It started with a phone call—one man in a time of need. Summer, 2020. Following George Floyd’s murder and the aftermath of the global Black Lives Matter protests and ensuing backlash, Ohio High School Hall of Fame football coach Al Powell called his friend (and fellow Hall of Fame coach) Jim Place to express his despair at how the country was being torn apart. From that rare, authentic, and open conversation between a black coach and his white peer, the Miami Valley Football Coaches Association Social Justice 7v7 tournament was born.

On the heels of a recent feature article in the Washington Post, Coach Powell and Coach Place join Nate Huffstutter on this episode to discuss that pivotal moment in which the foundation of the tournament was formed. From there, they detail how the event has continued to flourish and grow each passing year desp ... 

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Keywords
DEIcommunitySocial Justice 7v7 TournamentFootball coachesOhio High School Football Hall of FameMiami Valley Football Coaches Associationtolerance