Annual Wounded Warrior game raises between $10,000-$15,000
The Friday night football game against Flint Kearlsey was not so traditional the evening of Oct. 11. The Fenton varsity football team and the fans honored and gave back to the veterans in the annual Wounded Warrior game.
“The games started four years ago,” Athletic Director Michael Bakker said. “The team wanted to give back and they weren’t sure how. They decided on Wounded Warrior Project because a Fenton grad and ex-football player, Matt Wolfe, was injured in battle. This gave them ties between Fenton High School and a charity.”
Standing under the lights that night singing the National Anthem was country singer and fourth place winner on the 2003 season of American Idol, Josh Gracin. Gracin is a former marine and was honored by senior Matt Cubr at the game. Each player honored a different veteran by wearing their last name on the back of their new camouflage jerseys.
“Josh Gracin’s promoter lives in Fenton,” Bakker said. “She asked what she could do to help with the game and was able to organize him to come and sing. He is a former Michigan resident and was stationed in California.”
Not only did the Tigers win their game 48 to 0, but they were able to celebrate the win and the veterans when the players handed over their jerseys in the middle of the field to the veterans that they honored during the game, thanking them for their service to our country.
Although there is no final tally on the amount of money they raised this year for the Wounded Warrior Project, Bakker believes it should come to $10,000 – $15,000. This amount will be combined with the $55,000 they raised over the last three years.
