Members of a South Jersey Kids football league are trying to figure out why they’ve been snubbed by their opponents.
Coach Lynwood Mosley of the Bridgeton Midget Football League tells NBC10 the 140 players and 40 cheerleaders in the league were stood up on the field two weeks in a row.
Isaih Thomas Jr., 6, a first year running back tells NBC10 he was sad when he heard the news.
“He was looking forward to touching down in that first game,” said Isaih’s mother, Trenita Barnes. “When they didn’t play all he could do was cry.”
The players and coaches later learned the opposing Cape May County Junior Football League questioned the eligibility of a Bridgeton player who was on last year’s championship team, a matter which wound up in court. Teams in the predominately African-American league are now wondering however if there were other reasons behind the no shows.
“I really hope it wasn’t because we were black,” said Coach Mosley. “I hope it wasn’t that. These kids should be playing football no matter what color they are.”
“We love football and we need football,” said Barnes. “We just hope you can reach a decision that you want to play.”
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While the two leagues have reached an agreement in principle, attorneys for both sides say the terms are confidential and they can’t comment. Parents and kids say they just want to know if there will be a game on Saturday.