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Joe Richmond watched in awe Tuesday as Jaden Mitchell tossed passes and made grabs at Shot Tower Playground, 131 Carpenter St. If the youngster displays the same skills Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles may want to have him place his signature on a contract. The talented Southwest Philadelphia resident, adept at baseball and basketball through time at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 740 S. 17th St., tried out football for the first time in preparation for the site’s hosting of The Trevard Lindley Community Outreach Football Clinic.
Jaden and other youngsters met Lindley, a second-year cornerback with the Birds, for a quick practice at the Queen Village location. Their impending weekend interaction comes courtesy of the efforts of Love Kingdom Fellowship Church, 1009 S. Third St., and brothers Joe and Mike Richmond, co-founders of I Am Focused, Inc. (IAF)
“It’s a blessing to be able to give back to the neighborhood,” Joe Richmond, formerly of Third and Carpenter streets, said.
IAF’s director of community outreach relations, he has made his mission the devising of means to boost confidence through basketball. A perennial love, the game has given him personal joy through playing and coaching in Sweden and through running Richmond Group International (RGI), IAF’s predecessor.
A graduate of South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., he started RGI to strengthen communities by calling on hoops to construct relationships and empower individuals. His endeavors sent many local men and women to overseas showcase camps and tours and led to the acquisition of the Delaware Destroyers, then a National Rookie League squad and now an Eastern Basketball League member.
Mike Richmond, a 6-foot-7 behemoth properly dubbed “Big Mike,” helps as IAF’s director of international basketball relations. Also a Southern alumnus, he used his talent to attend the University of Texas at El Paso and became a selection by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1987 NBA Draft. An overseas career has garnered him added credibility in heading the non-profit’s international student athlete exchange program.
“We started I Am Focused in 2002 and have had many talks with pastors and politicians about helping as many children as possible,” the resident of 27th and Moore streets said.
The siblings found a receptive figure in Love Kingdom Fellowship’s pastor Warren C. McKnight. The sixth-year head always holds a summer camp at which the Richmonds conduct basketball lessons. Joe Richmond offers financial advice to athletes, and his savvy led a colleague to put him in contact with Lindley. Though football presents an athletic departure from basketball, its insistence on determination caused the Delaware resident to befriend the University of Kentucky product.
“Pastor McKnight said we could put on whatever if I could get Trevard to participate,” Joe Richmond said.
“We are always looking to build a relationship between the church and community,” New Jersey’s McKnight said.
IAF concentrates on the tri-state area with at least eight big yearly events and involves itself as a supporter of other gatherings. Joe Richmond reached out to Lindley three weeks ago, and the 105th pick in last year’s NFL Draft agreed to participate in his first clinic.
“It’s going to be great to help kids to have a good time,” the Georgia native said.
Monday’s approval of a new collective bargaining agreement by the NFL Players Association’s executive board ended a lockout that began March 12. Lindley yesterday reported to training camp for the Eagles, who last year won 10 games and sent five players to the Pro Bowl, including Asante Samuel, one of his secondary mates and mentors.
“I am read to go in, work hard and show the coaches I’m ready to play,” Lindley, who in his rookie season registered 23 tackles and made an interception in 11 games, said.
The 5-foot-11 speedster was unsure Tuesday how the end of the labor dispute would affect his participation in Saturday’s event, which Joe Richmond said will have at least 75 children. If he cannot attend, the youngsters will watch an encouraging video with his narration before tending to drills. The boys and girls, ages 7 to 14, will work at 11 stations where they will learn the nuances of different positions.
“The age range is ideal because we figure we will attract young kids with some interest in football and advance the knowledge of the game for those who are curious so as to push them into the sport,” Joe Richmond said.
Registration remains open, with parties encouraged to visit www.iamfocused.org or call 215-468-4095.
The age limits will keep 16-year-old Chris McKnight from competing, but he used the session to try to have his limbs outdo Lindley’s. He caught a couple passes before Lindley, who garnered numerous collegiate honors, including a First-Team All-Southeastern Conference selection in ’08, snared the last heave from the elder McKnight, his father. A fan of the Dallas Cowboys, the pastor took ribbing from Joe Richmond for letting Lindley intercept him.
“That’s Troy Aikman for you,” the younger of the entrepreneurial brothers said in reference to the Hall of Fame quarterback.
Jaden, his 11-year-old sister Amirah Mitchell and 12-year-old Latayana McKnight, the spiritual head’s daughter, fared better, catching accurate passes. The girls used customary routes, but Jaden used slants to show his athleticism.
“I like running and catching,” the tyke said of his decision to try out football.
He plays against eight-year-olds at Marian Anderson, so looking to beat the 25-year-old Eagle had no novelty. His sister also enjoyed her initial football experience.
“It was fun,” Amirah, a soccer buff, said.
“We want everyone to have fun,” Joe Richmond said.
One could call him an expert in frivolity, as he serves as a referee for the Harlem Globetrotters. He has a serious side, too, so the event will be his latest move to combat violence and enhance fellowship. On Aug. 8, IAF will oversee a tryout for the Globetrotters at Prep Charter High School, 1928 Point Breeze Ave., and on Aug. 27, it will host a 3-On-3 basketball tournament at Sacks Playground, 400 Washington Ave.
This weekend’s free gathering from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. will help to solidify the future of South Philadelphia’s children.
“We have so much concern for them,” he said of himself and his brother. “We are passionate about helping their neighborhoods.” SPR
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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