May 17, 2008 @ 4:00 PM:
LAPD Centurions vs. LA Heat
at Salesian High School
960 S Soto St.
Los Angeles, CA 90023

LAPD Centurions Defeat NYPD Finest 30 - 24 In Overtime.
Click here for write-up and game photos.

 

The LAPD Centurion Football Team Dedicates the 2008 Season, to Fallen Alumni Officer III+I Randal Simmons:
As the LAPD Centurions prepare for their 30 th season of playing football for kids they morn the recent death of Centurion Alumni, Police Officer III+I Randal Simmons. Officer Simmons played for the Centurions for over 10 years in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Centurions are dedicating the 2008 season to Officer Simmons. The team will be wearing his number, “17”, on their helmets and striving to win the Championship title in his name.

Our Mission:
Since 1978, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Centurions have been playing football for kids. This unique fraternity of Los Angeles Police Officers practice, play, and travel on their off duty time to raise money for the Blind Childrens Center of Los Angeles. The center provides research and development of educational programs for families in the Los Angeles area with young children who are blind or severely visually impaired.

Since joining the National Public Safety Football League (NPSFL) in 1997, the team has had a strong winning record. The team has been the Western Conference Champions several years. In 2001 the team won the championship game over the Houston Gunners, earning them a number one ranking for semi-pro teams in the American Football Association for that year. The Centurions are one of 20 Law Enforcement and Public Safety Football Teams that travel nationwide to play football and raise money for charity. The LAPD Centurions is proud to be a part of this Organization that put so much emphasis on giving back to the community.

The History of the LAPD Centurion Football Team:
While visiting with friends from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, in Arizona, Los Angeles Police Department SWAT Sergeant, Ron McCarthy waged a friendly bet. He stated that the LAPD tackle football team could beat the Arizona DPS tackle football team. The only problem with the bet was that neither department had a tackle football team.

Once Sergeant McCarthy returned to Los Angeles, he contacted his good friend Sergeant Jerry Bennett, who at the time was assigned to Rampart Division and was the flag football coach for the division.

Sergeant Bennett took on the task with several of his friends and established The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Centurions Football Team in 1979. The Centurions, coached by Jerry Bennett played their first game on May 5, 1979 at Jack Rabbit Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, against the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The Centurions won the game 21-0. The first Centurions team included Centurions legends like Quarter Back-Rick Alatorre, Running Back’s- Carl Steel and Ron Shipp, Linebacker Jim Choquette and Defensive Back Ed Lindsey.

In 1981 the Centurions formed a non-profit organization, 501-C3 and officially adopted The Blind Children’s Center of Los Angeles as their charity. The football team's motto “The LAPD Centurions play football for kids” was established. Over the past 29 years, the Centurions Football Team, has contributed over $500,000 to The Blind Children’s Center of Los Angeles and other local charities. The police officers that are members of the team, practice, travel to and play the games on their own personal time and finances, in an effort to raise money for charity.

In 1989 the Centurions played their biggest game ever in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fl. In front of 40,000 fans, the Centurions defeated the Metro-Miami Magnum Force in double overtime, winning their first National Championship. The Centurions went on to win back-to-back National Championships in 1991-1992.

In 1998 the National Public Safety Football League (NPSFL) was formed. In 2001 the Centurions won the (NPSFL) National Championship, defeating the Houston Gunners. Currently there are 21 teams in the (NPSFL).

The Centurions have dedicated the 2008 season to fallen SWAT Officer and Centurion alumni Randy Simmons.

Inland Empire Enforcers donate to the Simmon's Family
On February 23, 2008, at 2:00 PM, in Colton, California the Centurions went up against the Inland Empire Enforcers. The Enforcers donated $2500 to the Simmon's family from the proceeds of the game. On March 8, 2008, the Centurions played the San Diego Enforcers. The proceeds from this game will also be donated to the Simmon's family. There was a special half-time to honor Randy and his family with a ceremony to retire his jersey.