The Philadelphia Eagles stepped up big time Monday, offering to play host to the suspended playoff game between Camden and Pleasantville high schools. The New Jersey playoff game was suspended Friday when a tragic shooting occurred in the Pleasantville bleachers in the third quarter.
“Following NJSIAA’s statement on Saturday related to the completion of the game on Wednesday, November 20, at a neutral site, we can now announce that the Philadelphia Eagles have offered to host the suspended Pleasantville H.S. / Camden H.S. football playoff game,” NJSIAA executive director Larry White said in a statement.
It is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m ET.
The game was stopped with 4:58 left in the third quarter Friday when gunfire erupted in the Pleasantville bleachers. Camden held a 6-0 lead at the time. Pleasantville (8-1) came into the game riding a seven-game winning streak. Camden (7-2) has won four of its last five games.
Six men were charged in connection with the shooting at Pleasantville High School that left three people wounded. A wounded man, Ibn Abdullah, 27, was the target of the shooting and was charged because a gun was found on him when emergency responders went to his aid. He is in stable condition and will be undergoing surgery.
“It’s extremely unfortunate that a senselessly violent act has impacted this game, and there will certainly be a wide range of emotions along both sidelines. However, thanks to the Eagles’ generosity and community spirit, Pleasantville and Camden student-athletes and their families will have an opportunity to write their own ending to this game. They’ll compete on a world-class stage, sending a clear message that violence will not win.”
NJ.com reports one of the Pleasantville players will honor the 10-year-old who was wounded and faces surgery.
Ernest Howard, a senior running back/linebacker will wear the No. 10 jersey. He had worn No. 2 all season.
“I just wanted to honor him,” Howard said Sunday. “I thought about it and felt it was a nice gesture. We’re still planning on something else, but that will work out until the time comes for the next gesture.
“I don’t know him, but he doesn’t have the opportunity that we have (to play).”