By Nicole June
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Firefighters from Clarksville Fire Rescue (CFR) are gearing up for the Music City Blitz, a fundraising adult flag football tournament held at Nissan Stadium.
The Clarksville Fire Heathens team has played in the Music City Blitz for three years in a row to raise money for Special Olympics Tennessee. This year, the team is competing in the Battle of the Badges Division, which represents first responders.
Team members include Matt Bennett, Brandon Powers, Dylan Stewart, Luke Culwell, Matthew Rabbitt, Mike Hagewood, Nolan Blake, Trevor Moore, and Cole McWhirter.
Bennett, who was instrumental in the organization of the team, said the game and the fundraising efforts are especially important to him because he has a nearly four-year-old son with Down Syndrome. He aims to promote any event that benefits Special Olympics and similar organizations because other firefighters with CFR also have children with special needs.
“I feel like the special needs community never gets quite the recognition that it deserves,” Bennett said. “I just try to bring more awareness and positivity to the special needs community.”
The Clarksville Fire Heathens must raise $1,500 to play in the Blitz, and as of Monday they had raised $182.
The players will have the chance to play against other first responders for bragging rights at Nissan Stadium on March 30.
You can donate to the Clarksville Fire Heathens here. All proceeds go directly to Special Olympics Tennessee.
ABOUT MUSIC CITY BLITZ
This official 5v5 flag football tournament is played in one day on Nissan Stadium’s field. Divisions are available in Competitive (Top Gun), Recreational, Co-ed, 35 and Over, and Battle of the Badges. Teams are allowed up to 15 players; all must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Field size is 25 yards x 70 yards with each team guaranteed three games on the field at Nissan Stadium. The event benefits the Special Olympics of Tennessee.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS TENNESSEE
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.