To observe the 24th anniversary of 9/11, San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, in conjunction with the SQ Football organization, hosted a game between the residents and formerly incarcerated veterans called the Buddy Bowl.
As the historic day started, Buddy Bowl’s founder Nico Marcellongo led a contingency of veterans down the hill where they met resident Jamal Harrison.
Harrison, SQRC’s sports commentator and a Navy veteran who served on the USS Kitty Hawk CV63; as a machinist mate engineer, welcomed David Ladd, Jack Kearns, Andre Jackson, Pastor Cordell, Dillon F., Rocco M., Gavin F.,
As Harrison gave thanks to the other heroes, founder Marcellongo told fans in attendance what the Buddy Bowl represented.
“Obviously it’s 9/11 and today is about community and honoring the wounded and fallen. Today is special because you guys invited us to play some ball and enjoy spending time with everyone and we are glad to be here.”
Ladd, a former San Quentin resident and disabled Iraq war vet lost part of his leg during an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attack while being a part of a Marine convoy that was contracted by KBR Halliburton.
“My convoy was attacked three times before and, on those occasions my armored vehicle held, however the fourth time it did not,” said Ladd. “I don’t remember much about the explosion, but when I came to, I took one step out of the vehicle and, immediately hit the ground.”
Ladd looked down at his leg, saw that it was bad, but remembers he didn’t feel any excruciating pain.
“I was in the hospital for months,” Ladd said. “After several unsuccessful surgeries, when the doctors came in to do the next one, I told them; ‘Just cut it off and they did’.”
Ladd saw West Block (housing unit), where he was housed in the early nineties and then asked if reception was still housed.
“I can feel this place, it has a different presence now. I have traveled quite a bit and have had a pretty good life overall,” Ladd said. “I need to find out what I can do here to help. I can’t be out there having fun playing ball with the guys. But I really would like to contribute in any way I can.”
Veterans Group San Quentin sponsor Tina R. paid homage to administrators like Dr. Anderson whom, “Made the event happen and did most of the heavy lifting.”
“When 9/11 happened I was out of the country and didn’t get the news about what happened until almost 24 hours later,” Tina R. said. “So when 9/11 events like the Buddy Bowl take place, it’s an opportunity for me to take it all in.”
The event reunited SQRC residents with flag football alum, Andre Jackson, whose association with SQ’s sports program goes back more than a decade.
Jackson said COVID diminished the prison’s flag football relationships with outside organizations. “It’s good to be back. I see some familiar faces that are still here I wish they hurry up and go home,” Jackson said jokingly.
College students, Gavin F. (UC Santa Cruz), Dillon F. and, Kappa Alpha fraternity member Rocco M. (UC Berkeley) played for the Buddy Bowl team.
Dillon F., who scored a TD, said he didn’t know what he expected before coming to San Quentin.
“This is great. I’m thrilled to see everyone is cool here, I’m blown away”, said Dillon F.
Gavin F. had trepidation before attending as well. “It’s a positive energy here, you can feel it, thanks for having us.”
Rocco M., who plays flag football on his fraternity’s team, heard that several residents were being asked if there was a chance for his fraternity team to come play here at SQRC.
Without giving a definitive ‘yes’ or ‘no’ Rocco M. said; “Let’s see how it goes today.”
The day concluded with a game, that seemed unimportant, but was still very competitive as SQRC’s All In Football juggernaut defeated the Buddy Bowl veterans 50 – 40.
All-In team’s victory was led by R. Fiapoto who scored three touchdowns, Antron Gully followed with two scores and Trey Richard & Delvon Adams each scored as well.
Buddy Bowl veterans were led by Jack Kearns’ three scores followed by Dillon F.’s touchdown. Residents Charles Sylvester and Andrew Warren performed well for the visitors as did star resident Taiosisi Mantangi.
The founder of the SQ 49ers, resident Bryant Underwood said, “It was amazing to see the incarcerated youth build relationships with the formerly incarcerated vets.”
Buddy Bowl is a sports charity organization of wounded veterans based, in Oceanside, California that originated after a fellow service member died in a helicopter crash. Today, the fellow service members and teammates travel around the country competing, to support families of fallen and wounded veterans.