NFL invades N. Mabee

What do you do when two NFL players show up to compete in a basketball game played by volunteers and staff from a Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club? “You put them on different teams!” said Jo Bright, director of the North Mabee Boys & Girls Club. Former club member and “Mabee Baby” Robert Meachem of the San Diego Chargers showed up to play at Rocky’s Daddys’ Invitational Tournament (DIT) recently and brought his friend, Tulsan and NFL player Dominique Franks of the Atlanta Falcons. The fundraiser was held to buy uniforms for the teams at the club. The N. Mabee gym was filled to capacity and fans got the chance to meet the players and get autographs.

“The game was very exciting as the Red team defeated the Black team by one point,” Mrs. Bright said. Personally, I thought the best part was the way Rocky's son, Little Rock, got himself in every photo. In the photo above are from left, Meachem, Rocky, Little Rock, and Franks. Mrs. Bright shot the photographs.

The tournament is named Rocky’s Daddys’ Invitational because the volunteer coaches, who are often the fathers of the kids in the basketball program, play the game. Club volunteer and Mabee Baby Rocky Bright founded the event. While the volunteer coaches play the game, kids handle everything else, including working as scorekeepers and referees. Here's a big shout out to the sponsors: Premier Staffing, World Baseball Outreach, SydeWayz Productions, LLC; Danny Roe, Verizon and Mary Nicole Parker. Thanks everyone - you made it the best DIT ever!

-Sallie