Bill Sytsma, like so many inner-city high school football coaches, is more than a football coach. Earlier this month, the head coach of the Frankford Pioneers lost one of his players to gun violence in Northeast Philadelphia.
Angelo Walker was shot-and-killed by a stray bullet while he was riding his bike. The 15-year old Walker would have been a sophomore in the Frankford program.
Just got off the phone with a grief stricken mother who does not understand why her 15 year old son is dead. Please pray for Angelo, his family and my players.
— Bill Sytsma (@BillSytsma) July 6, 2020
'I Can't Do It Anymore': Philadelphia Football Coach Prepares To Bury 3rd Player Lost To Gun Violence Following 15-Year-Old's Death. @KimberlyDavisTV reports. https://t.co/QwqigC8Sda
— CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) July 7, 2020
Sitting here reflecting on the last 48 hours. This is really the 1st chance I’ve had to myself. This is so hard to process. ❤️??? pic.twitter.com/0pFOfdRK9N
— Bill Sytsma (@BillSytsma) July 7, 2020
On today’s High School Football America Podcast, I talk with Coach Sytsma about a wide-array of topics affecting his student-athletes and his program that is struggling after a senseless death.
HSFA Podcast with Coach Bill Sytsma
WEEKEND OF VIOLENCE: 15YO Angelo Walker was among the 31 gunshot victims in Philly this weekend. He was shot & killed on Sunday night in Overbrook.@BillSytsma describes him as a “bright, up and coming player” on the Frankford HS football team. @FOX29philly at 5 pic.twitter.com/6JgwUPjEuV
— Kelly Rule (@KellyRuleTV) July 6, 2020
Sytsma has two GoFundMe pages aimed at helping during these extremely tough times. One is to pay for expenses for Angelo’s funeral and the other is to help his program create a safe haven for his at-risk student-athletes.
A @gofundme page has been created to help Angelo's family honor his life. Please consider supporting them & sharing the link. #BeyondTheField @WilliePAFN @pa_fb_history @HSFBamerica https://t.co/lzfP0PnnY9 https://t.co/kAHIFEfPvv pic.twitter.com/O4PxYxyESY
— BridgetAlgeoLetukas (@bigplay_mom) July 9, 2020
If you afford, even a few dollars, please donate by going to the links below.
Donate: Angelo Walker Going Home Celebration
Donate: Friends of Frankford Football
https://t.co/fZg7ViTL5m @gofundme Need to start “Safe Summer”
— Bill Sytsma (@BillSytsma) July 6, 2020
