On Saturday, December 5th, the San Antonio Public Safety Raiders hosted the first annual Toys for Tots Bowl at Somerset Stadium to collect toys for the United States Marine’s Toys for Tots.
However, this definitely wasn’t the first time these local heroes have used their passion for football to help others.
The Raiders are an amateur football team comprised entirely of Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMS and Military personnel. “From the streets to the field, the San Antonio Public Safety Raiders are on a mission to serve no matter what uniform they are wearing,” says a representative of the team on their Instagram page. “Two uniforms, One goal. Helping others.”
And they are doing just that! The team has been playing for charity for five seasons and has partnered with Soliders’ Angels, a foundation that provides aid and comfort for our troops, wounded warriors, veterans, and their families.
They have also created a scholarship for former teammate and fallen officer, Robert “Bobby” Deckard who was fatally shot in the line of duty on December 8, 2014 while in pursuit of robbery suspects. Deckard, who died two weeks later from his wounds, was a 31-year-old father of two and seven-year veteran of the force. He also played high school football and eagerly joined the Raiders when the team was created five seasons ago.
Each year, the Raiders host a game in his honor, the Bobby Deckard Bowl. All proceeds from the game are donated to the Robert Deckard scholarship and given to a senior at Highlands High School, where Deckard graduated in 2000.
These public safety heroes are putting others before themselves on and off duty everyday. While they all enjoy playing football on their time off, they are using their passion to make a difference for our community and that is something to be admired. For more information or to donate money for this year’s Bobby Deckard Bowl visit San Antonio Public Safety Raiders on Facebook or on Instagram under sa_public_safety_raiders.