After meeting with players and coaches, team officials of the Tampa Bay Storm arena football team have decided to cancel their participation in a charity flag football game in Plant City after the unexpected death of teammate Chandler Williams.
Williams, 27, died Sunday while playing in a flag football tournament in South Florida. No cause of death has been released at this time, but it is suspected that Williams suffered from a heart condition.
The Storm was set to play in a charity flag football game Jan. 12, at Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, against the Tampa Bay Sentinels, a full-contact football team comprising of first responders from the Tampa Bay area, including local members of the military.
After funeral arrangements were made for Williams for noon Saturday, in Miami, the Storm met Monday night and made the decision to attend the funeral.
“While we were excited to do something in the community and take part in the flag football game for charity, we have suffered a loss in the Storm family,” Storm Vice President of Football Operations Jeff Gooch said in a statement. “We, the team, will be there for the family of Chandler and come together to support them through this tough time.”
Williams was set to return to the Storm for his second season this spring. The former Florida International University standout led the AFL in 2012 with a 23-yard kickoff return average and caught 83 passes for 996 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Originally a seventh round selection by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007, Williams became just the second player from FIU to be drafted. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts.
GAME MUST GO ON
According to Sentinels coach Jim Gaczewski, his team will still participate this Saturday.
“Regardless of what happens, we’re going to play,” Gaczewski said.
Money raised by the event will benefit the MacDonald Training Center, which has locations in Plant City and Tampa.
Gaczewski currently is working to find a new opponent, with possibilities of the Sentinels scrimmaging against themselves, a fellow first-responders team from Orlando or taking on local high school or college players.
“We might even play the employees and members of the MacDonald Training Center and just have a great time,” Gaczewski said. “They would love that. We are still planning on it being a great event and a great time.”
Founded in 1953, the MacDonald Training Center provides educational, vocational and residential supports for people with disabilities.
Tickets to the event are $7 and can be purchased at the gate the day of the game. Children under 5 and people with disabilities get in for free. There also will be auction items and a 50/50 raffle, with all the proceeds going to benefit the MacDonald Training Center.
ROLLING ENTERTAINMENT
According to Jim Robinson, media relations manager of the Storm and the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, Rolling Thunder — an interactive exhibit of the Lightning, a fellow member of the Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment family — will make an appearance at the event.
The appearance will feature the Lightning mascot, ThunderBug, and interactive games.
Because of scheduling and training camp conflicts, the game between the Storm and Sentinels cannot be rescheduled, but Robinson said there is a possibility to have additional fundraising efforts for the MacDonald Training Center at a Storm game this upcoming season.
This will be the first time in three years the Sentinels and Storm do not play in a benefit game. It would have been the first time the event was held in Plant City.
OUTLET FOR HEROES
The Sentinels plan on making two more stops in Plant City during their four-game regular season, with games set March 23 and April 6 at Otis Andrews.
The Sentinels comprises members of law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole officers, firefighters, paramedics/EMTs and members of the military from five counties around Tampa Bay. Notable members include Tim Titus, an Armwood High alum, and Brandon Culpepper, who is from Plant City.
The Sentinels, formed in 2008, are the third public-safety team to form in Tampa Bay, being proceeded by the Guardians, now based in Orlando, and the Tampa Bay Posse.
In 2012, the Sentinels had their first winning season, posting a 3-1 record.
Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.Dev2Day —