My City July 2021

money, like how to use credit cards re sponsibly, to get their financial footing.” Lawler also emphasizes the im portance of players and the coaching staff utilizing their various back grounds, occupations and strengths to help take care of each other. “We really promote the community aspect of the Fury because we have all types of players who hold different jobs and that can be used to help their teammates in need,” he says. “For ex ample, if somebody on the team needs their car looked at, we have a mechanic. We also have somebody who sells cars.” The Fury’s website, Facebook and Instagram accounts are also filled with photographs and videos spotlighting in dividual players. “I do that because I want the players to get a little exposure, their 15 minutes of fame,”Lawler says. p

THE TEAM HUDDLES UP BEFORE PRACTICE AT FLINT CENTRAL.

“I am trying to make positive changes and joining the Fury has given me a place to channel any anger and frustrations I have,” Der ricks says. “It provides me with an escape, kind of a happy place. The whole team is a great support system for each other and we want to open people’s eyes to see what a positive thing this is for guys who are open to making changes in their lives.” That’s Fury Head Coach and Owner Charles Lawler’s main motiva tion for remaining passionately in volved with the organization he joined in 2003 as a player before becoming coach in 2008.The 51-year-old takes

great pride in being the team’s life coach, as well as its football coach. “To be real with you, I see the despair that is part of Flint – like poverty, crime and the (ongoing) water crisis – and I really want to help the younger genera tion, especially, find their way through all of it,” Lawler says. “My goal is to help them not get caught up in the turmoil.” Among other things, Lawler organizes a financial workshop for the younger players every season. “Some players do not even have a bank account which, of course, makes it difficult to es tablish credit and move forward in life,” he says. “I try to help them understand important, basic things about managing

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