Snoop Dogg Launches Chicago Youth Football League

CHICAGO -- Rapper Snoop Dogg launched a Chicago version of his popular youth football league Saturday, saying he hoped the program will give kids in high-crime neighborhoods a positive release for their energy.

Dancing and high-fiving his way through a large crowd at the Chicago Indoor Sports Facility, the playful entertainer seemed intent on meeting all the kids involved in the inaugural season of the city's Snoop Youth Football League. Chicago's is a division of the league he established in Los Angeles in 2004.

Snoop Dogg spent most of his time interacting with the more than 100 football kids and fans, many whom waited several hours for his arrival.

"When I walked into the building, I felt the spirit," the rapper said of the loud welcome that included non-stop photo flashes. Obviously moved, Snoop Dogg smiled and danced as his songs played in the background.

He credited football, a sport he played growing up, with giving many kids in his California league the incentive to focus on their education and other aspects of their lives. He's hoping Chicago youth use the program to figure out what they want to do with their lives, and he's anxious to see how they respond.

"I want to give them something to fight for," he said of his intentions with the new league. "At the end of the day, they're our future."

The league in California has eight chapters with more than 3,000 participants. Chicago's league will have six chapters with more than 1,500 participants.

Snoop Dogg said the league prides itself on a strong support system, anchored by coaches and parents. "We're teaching life skills now," he said, referring to the program's more-than-football approach.

The rappers also proud that his league isn't afraid to go into some of the most dangerous neighborhoods to reach the young people who live in them.

"We're going to the toughest areas," he said. "We're going to deal with them face to face."

Chicago's league starts in August and is open to youth ages 7 to 14.

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Comments

[see-ellen2001]

08:35 AM on 08/06/2011

Girls too I hope are eligible to play. Or will they only be allowed to stand on the sidelines, dressed in skimpy outfits, gyrating furiously.

[joker21779]

09:41 AM on 08/02/2011

KIDS NEED SOMETHING TO DO THATS ALL IT IS. I DONT THINK SNOOP WANTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LIL GANGSTERS HAHA. THIS IS POSITIVE IMAGE FOR HIM. IT WOULD COME BACK AND BITE HIM IN TABLOIDS HURT HIS CAREER.

[joker21779]

09:36 AM on 08/02/2011

ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY ITS TOUGH GROWIN UP. KIDS HAVE NOTHING TO DO CUZ LACK OF FUNDING!

[Anne Siperek]

12:03 AM on 08/02/2011

There is something about this guy that is very endearing.

[IndyVoter777]

03:11 PM on 08/01/2011

Snoop does good work here in L.A. with his youth football program and has for a long time now. I remember how big Pop Warner ball was in my young life so kudos to Snoop.

Take a look at this in regards to Chicago. Dont mean to hijack the thread but this is powerful stuff for Chicago.

http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=22516

[tightmadness]

11:35 AM on 08/01/2011

I wonder if the NFL would have allowed John Gotti to purchase a team. This is disgraceful. Snoop has a criminal past, made his career exploiting black people, continues to have run-ins with law enforcement and drug abuse, has never denounced his gang affiliation, and has a porn label? People wake up! I guess Ted Bundy and Marc Champan should appear on seasame street.

[lotus321]

11:45 AM on 08/01/2011

He is still less of a criminal than the orange politicians in Washington or the metro-sexual on Wall Street. If Michael Milliken, George Bush and the like can walk free and prosper, leave Snoop alone. You think those guys aren't hot boxing...please

[Zordoc]

12:19 PM on 08/03/2011

Well stated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IndyVoter777]

03:15 PM on 08/01/2011

Tight...Snoop grew up in one of the baddest hoods in L.A.

I live here and can tell you that the odds are SO stacked against the kids growing up in these places that I am shocked any ever get out of the ganglife. He knows what he did and he has changed his life. Snoop does a lot of good in the inner city in L.A. now. He should be forgiven like everyone who makes good and gives to other less fortunate than themselves.

[Patricia Hinchliff]

10:45 AM on 08/01/2011

The Cloud Is Crying 3:30 Homesick James Blues On The South Side Blues 7 7/27/11 2:39 PM

[Avery Owen]

08:24 AM on 08/01/2011

Ha! I can see a lot of slow moving hungry kids on the field! LOL

[ThomasPaine1776]

01:38 AM on 08/01/2011

This is a consequence of the Oakland Raiders moving to Los Angeles for a while, 1982 to 1994. 12 years of really good football created a lot of fans. For some reason, a lot of "inner city" gang type people took a liking to them. Some haven't let go. Snoop is one of them.

[lotus321]

11:46 AM on 08/01/2011

Those were mostly Mexican gangbangers...and they still travel to Oakland on game days

[BushBites]

07:39 PM on 07/31/2011

Seems like soccer would be better -- less equipment, less cost, less injuries, open to kids of all sizes.

But, you know, I still wish him luck.

[lotus321]

11:47 AM on 08/01/2011

Maybe, but it is not a sport inner-city youth ( meaning blacks) like to play

[SO12]

03:15 PM on 08/01/2011

are you stereo typing what people like ..oh wait a minute .I guest basketball would be better for inner-city youth ( meaning the community and not just one fraction of community )

[Riana Lynn]

07:10 PM on 07/31/2011

Something, anything for youth violence and obesity in Chicago

[Winter Skye]

07:10 PM on 07/31/2011

I hear when they make a goal, they get a bag of weed! Very, very motivating and cewl!

[lotus321]

11:48 AM on 08/01/2011

Some people just have to criticize everything. Would you rather they be out killing one another.

[Winter Skye]

06:01 PM on 08/01/2011

It's a joke and it's okay not to take ourselves too seriously but be my guest and get down with your bad self...

[Jake Thomas]

06:39 PM on 07/31/2011

Good on Snoop!

[Howard53545]

06:35 PM on 07/31/2011

Looks like he is high as a kite!! Where are the ladies and the gin and juice?

[sackman]

05:23 PM on 07/31/2011

YO YO YO DOG, iTS A GOOD THING,.......................