Chicago cops ready for new year on the gridiron
Chicago enforcers Officers to take on big-city rivals to help charity March 31, 2008
BY Tim O'Brien Correspondent
John Smith loves what he does. An eight-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department and a 1994 graduate of De La Salle Institute, Smith is the bruising starting running back for the Chicago Enforcers, a third-year team made up entirely of Chicago police officers that plays in the National Public Safety Football League. Smith's only complaint is that the team wasn't around longer. "I wish they had (the team) when I first started," Smith said jokingly. "The body doesn't recover as quick now." Smith is one of more than 60 officers on the Enforcers who play a four-game schedule beginning Saturday with a game on the road against the Cleveland Warriors. On a cool, cloudy Sunday afternoon, the Enforcers practiced at Memorial Field at Saint Xavier University in Chicago for their second outdoor practice of the year before hitting the road later this week. Head coach Jim Ade, one of the founders of the team and the sophomore defensive coordinator at Brother Rice High School, has a wide variety of players with experience ranging from high school all the way to Division I NCAA schools. "We don't have any pro experience, but we do have college, Division I and II, some DIII," Ade said. "A couple guys actually played here at Saint Xavier, and then some with high school, too. It really runs the gamut, but they come out here and work hard and do the best they can." For some football players, getting a chance to play with the Enforcers provided another chance to play the game they love. Ken Gardner, a resident of the Mount Greenwood community, played two years at Marist High School and is a wide receiver for the Enforcers. "To tell you the truth, I only played a couple years in high school, and I've always loved to play football," Gardner said. "I figured this was my last chance to come out and strap it on again, represent the city and hopefully make some money for charity." Besides the games on the field, that is what the Enforcers and all the NPSFL teams hope to do: raise money for charity. Once operational costs are covered, all funds go to charities that include the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Gold Star Families and the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. "(Other than football), it's also about the charity," defensive end Jemal King said. "Every police officer here is playing for Gold Star Families, the families of police officers who have died in the line of duty. We're playing ball to raise money for them and other charities. Also, it's love of the game." An eight-year veteran of the force and a Bronzeville neighborhood resident, King's football background includes playing at Bogan High School and four years at Western Illinois University. The Enforcers will play Cleveland at 1 p.m Saturday, with future games against Phoenix, Ariz., San Diego, Tampa Bay and a nonleague game with Cleveland. The Enforcers played their first games in 2006, finishing 2-1 in the NPSFL, a league that started in 1996 with public safety departments from across the country representing their cities. Now in their second full season after an 0-4 record in 2007, the Enforcers are looking forward to getting back on the field, especially after practicing with their teammates since January. "We're definitely frustrated," King said with a laugh. "We've been practicing since January, so now we finally get a chance to go out and play another team. You get used to playing your own teammates." Team captain and starting wide receiver Bob Slecther, who grew up in Evergreen Park and played football at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, is confident enough in his teammates' abilities he's willing to guarantee a major turnaround. "I've guaranteed four wins this year as a team," Slecther said with a smile. "I just want to win. That's more important than anything. It sucked losing last year." Fans in attendance Saturday should watch out because Smith and the Enforcers offense are predicting lots of fireworks. "I'm really excited," Smith said. "I'm ready. I've got about four touchdowns in me for this weekend."
