Robbins CalPark Eagles football player Kamari Allen threw some passes, caught some passes and ran around having fun Saturday.
He and some of his teammates were testing out the new Rocky Clark Legacy Field in Robbins shortly before a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open up the $2 million synthetic turf field.
When asked what he thought of the new digs, the rising eighth grader had a smile and gave two thumbs up.
“It’s pretty good. I like it,” he said. “This is great to have a home field. We practiced on small fields in Robbins and Calumet Park. It was nothing like this.”
More than 150 people attended the grand opening at 3050 Clair Blvd. They included players, coaches, former Eagles players, men who helped start the Eagles in 1983, plus friends and family of the late Rasul “Rocky” Clark, including former Chicago Bears tight end Emery Moorehead.
Moorehead has followed Clark’s story from 2000, when the running back for Eisenhower High School suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a game through his death in 2012.
A few weeks before Clark died, Moorehead presented him with game ball from Super bowl XX while representatives from the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Game presented him with $25,000.
“We were also there at Eisenhower when there was a dedication for him out there,” Moorehead said. “When the Bears called me and wanted me to come out for this, I said ‘I’ve been there all along, so I’m going out there Saturday.’’’
He said that it was a great honor for Clark and he was glad to see the support from the community.
Annette Clark, Rocky’s mother, called the naming of the field a blessing.
“He’s still in my heart,” she said. “And he will be every day. I know he’s smiling. I know this. I thank God for this day.”
Annette pointed out that even though her son was a quadriplegic, his mind was sharp. Rocky was the inspiration of Illinois enacting the Rocky Law, which required high school districts in the state to provide insurance
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of up to $3 million for catastrophic injuries.Rocky also was part of the Gridiron Alliance, supporting athletes who have been injured. He also became an assistant football coach for Eisenhower.
One of the players he coached was Darren Bryant, who grew up to be the mayor of Robbins.
Bryant and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District have had big hands in making this field a reality.
On a light note, Bryant said there is enough land left over in the community for another stadium.
“The Robbins Bears,” he said with a smile. “I like it.”
He also likes the fact that the Clark field will help future generations of students and athletes.
“We invested in you today,” Bryant told the Eagles players. “That $2 million could have gone to water and infrastructure but we put the $2 million behind you.
“So, chase your dreams. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It doesn’t mean you have to make it to the NFL. But you should wake up every day with a purpose.”
He told the players that Clark had dreams like they do now and played football for the Eagles. Bryant said God had “a different story” for Clark.
The mayor said the injury didn’t stop Clark.
“Rocky went on to fight,” he said. “He got a state law passed. Many people may ask ‘why Rocky?’ Well, they simply don’t know the story.”
The MWRD is sinking more than $30 million on the Robbins Heritage Park and Midlothian Creek Restoration Project and it was during this venture that it was discovered that the Clark field could become a reality
“By addressing the persistent storm water challenges first, we created a foundation, literally and figuratively, that made this field possible,” MWRD President Kari Steele said. “Today we’re seeing the results. A safer, stronger community and a space where young people can play, grow and enjoy their hometown even more than they already were.”
Eagles President Glenn Hampton said he is emotional about opening this field. He and other coaches remember when the team practiced on concrete surfaces.
“Today is more than just a ribbon cutting ceremony,” he said. “Today is the celebration of a vision, a commitment and a promise fulfilled to the youth and the families of the community,” he said.
“This is more than about football and cheerleading. It’s about building character, creating opportunities and giving young people a place to belong.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.