A new team composed of players from local law enforcement and firefighting/rescue agencies played the second of two home games at Salem Stadium last Saturday. The Roanoke Rampage drew an estimated thousand-plus for the match against the Washington DC Generals. Teams in the nationwide public safety league raise money for the charities of their choice, via game ticket sales and donations.
The Rampage chose “Steps 4 Billy,” which aims to educate people about a form of lymphoma that felled retired Roanoke City Fire Battalion Chief Billy Obenchain. The long-time Vinton Town Council member lost his 9-year battle with a rare cancer last December. Firefighter and Rampage operations director Todd Stone remembers Obenchain fondly. “He was one of the smartest firemen I ever met. The firemen loved him … that’s no exaggeration.”
Choosing to support research at Duke Medical Center, where Obenchain went for experimental treatments, “just feels right,” said Stone. The Rampage, who have two road games remaining, feature a roster of players who competed in high school – some several decades ago, as well as a handful that went on to play in college. One Rampage player even turned pro: former William Fleming star and UVA defensive back Jermaine Hardy spent time with the Carolina Panthers.
See roanokesbravestfootball.com for more information on the team and how to contribute to Steps 4 Billy.
By Gene Marrano [email protected]