"just one fan's perspective": on Ferguson high-school teams at practice today

CoachO

This is just one fan’s perspective…..

In what can only be described as a classy move by Head Coach Fisher, the High School teams from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were special guests at the final day of Training Camp.

At the start of practice, athletes from one of the High Schools were escorted to the Season Ticket Holder tent down the sideline on the middle practice field. After the Rams ran through their Special Teams drills, and finished up with their stretching, Coach Fisher had most of the top 2 units go over to the tent, and meet the High School Players. In what can best be described as a receiving line, the Rams players shook hands and welcomed the kids attending the practice.

Then, midway through the practice, the McCluer North High School team took their place in the same tent. As one of the team drills was coming to an end, Coach Fisher himself walked over to the tent and “requested” some assistance from the 40+ athletes. He had them come out on the field, stationed behind the EndZone, and instruvted them to make as much noise as you can, while our offense works on coming out of our own EndZone. These players did not disappoint. And they even caused a false start on the 2nd Unit O-Line. As the drill concluded, and the Stars players made their way back to the tent, the Rams players encouraged them, by applauding and joining in their chatting.

And as if that wasn’t a cool thing enough for these kids, as Training Camp came to an end, with the customary “dizzy bat” ritual for the rookies, the team came together. After Coach Fisher made his final remarks officially closing Training Camp, many of the players, led by Kenny Britt, Ray Ray Armstrong and Alex Ogletree, made their way over to the tent. They invited the high schoolers onto the sideline, and by now almost all of the Rams players were mixed in and huddling with these kids. In what can best be described as a “pregame” huddle, with players leading a group cheer, the Rams players joined the McCluer North Stars players in a pretty cool scene. It ended with the cheer, “Ferguson!”.

I know for some, this sort of thing may not seem all that important. But for this fan, I found it to be an amazing display of class and shows the commitment to this community the Rams organization demonstrates every day. And for these kids, it gave them a respite from the real life turmoil many of us can only imagine.

Way to Go Jeff Fisher, and the St. Louis Rams!