Over Labor Day Weekend, the Los Angeles Rams celebrated Kenny Washington's 75th birthday by hosting a free youth football clinic at Ted Watkins Park in Los Angeles for over 100 local students. The clinic was led by Los Angeles Rams Senior Director of Social Justice and Football Development Johnathan Franklin and featured football fundamentals and football-specific drills with the Rams youth engagement coaches.

The event was a continuation of how the team honors the legacy of Washington, LA-native and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) standout who was the first Black player to be signed by an NFL team in the modern era ending a 12-year ban on Black players in the league. 

"We were able to tell a story to highlight a native that furthered his education, achieved a dream playing in the NFL, and pivoted to a second career as a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer," said Franklin. "Kenny embodies much more than just being a football player."

Participants also had an opportunity to view a screening of the Rams' short film *Kingfish: The Story of Kenny Washington* that the team released last year in celebration of Black History Month. The short film was directed and produced by Black-owned agency, The Blk Originals. 

"Kids were excited to watch the film, and no one knew who Kenny was prior to seeing the film, so having an opportunity to host a football clinic and tell Kenny's story was awesome," said Franklin.

Most of, if not all the participants had never heard of Washington but had heard of his UCLA baseball teammate Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 by signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Washington played alongside Robinson during their time at UCLA. On top of being a standout at UCLA and a pioneer in the NFL, Washington served as an officer for the Los Angeles Police Department much like his Uncle Rocky, who was the first Black uniformed lieutenant in the LAPD. Many young children attending the event and children in the Los Angeles community may not know the legacy of Kenny Washington, but Franklin believes they all embody his mentality.

"When you think about access and opportunity at the Rams this is what we push, for youth to dream beyond their current realities," said Franklin. "Kenny Washington gives them that hope through the success he achieved, in addition to the example of perseverance through the adversity you will face in life."

For more information about the Rams' community outreach efforts, visit www.therams.com/community.