Officer Gregory Evely is using football to teach discipline, build trust, and guide kids toward better choices.
WASHINGTON — As crime involving young people continues to make headlines in the District, one DC police officer is working to make a difference.
Gregory Evely has served as an officer for the Metropolitan Police Department for 31 years. Off duty, he coaches the Marshall Heights Bisons, a youth football team in Northeast D.C.
“I love coaching the kids because I want to see them grow up and do the same thing,” Evely said.
Evely said his work on the field gives him a chance to connect with children to help ensure they don’t go down the wrong path.
“Day to day, I see a lot of youth committing crimes,” he said. “But me being a police officer, I get to touch on some of these kids’ lives firsthand, to show them the difference, that you have a police officer that’s right here with you that can show you right from wrong.”
He believes programs like his are essential to providing structure and guidance.
“It teaches them discipline by coming out here, being on a team, and how to follow rules,” Evely said. “It puts a lot of structure in their life.”
Their practices take place not far from where two teens were shot Tuesday night, a reminder of the violence that surrounds many of these players.
“It’s very hard, it’s tragic,” said Ty’Nae Harrison, whose son Anthony plays on the team. “I would never want any parent to experience that kind of pain.”
Harrison said the team gives her son and other kids a safe outlet.
“It just gives them a positive thing to do instead of just spending time roaming around the neighborhoods,” she said. “They’re always on video games and things. It gives them an outlet outside of academics, and it’s something that he loves to do.”
Anthony said he appreciates having a coach who’s also a police officer.
“It’s nice because if there’s somebody coming that’s gonna harm us, he might just get them because he’s a police officer,” Anthony said.
He also has a message for other kids getting into trouble.
“Stop doing bad things,” Anthony said. “Just do the right thing, or you go to jail like the other people that are grown-ups.”
Evely, who grew up playing in a league just like this one, hopes to inspire his players to stay focused and work hard.
“I think it’s important for the kids to see that if you work hard in life, you have a good outcome,” he said.
If the Bisons win their next games, they’ll have the chance to compete in the national championship in Florida.
To help them on their journey, click here.