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JCC Team Wins Flag Football Junior World Cup

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By FJN Admin

The Michael-Ann Russell JCC’s Youth Flag Football Team, the Mo Steel Seniors, represented "Team USA" at the Junior Flag Football World Cup - hosted by the International Federation of American Football – September 22-23 in Lelystad, the Netherlands – and captured the GOLD medal. 

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After a bronze medal finish as "Team USA" at the NFL Youth Flag Football World Championships in New Orleans in August, the Mo Steel Seniors were invited by the International Federation of American Football to again represent "Team USA" at the Junior Flag Football World Cup in the Netherlands from Saturday, September 22 – Sunday, September 23 – dates which coincided with the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur (Friday evening, September 21 – Saturday evening, September 22).

For the Jewish people, Yom Kippur is a 24 hour plus period of physical abstinence where one rids oneself of one’s sins, seeking forgiveness for transgressions committed against one’s "fellow man" and God. Most mark this day of physical abstinence by fasting for more than a 24 hour period.

After traveling that day from North Miami Beach to the Netherlands, the Mo Steel Seniors attended synagogue in Amsterdam and began their fast on the evening Friday, September 21, continuing their observance through the evening of Saturday, September 22. This meant that the Mo Steel Seniors were not able to participate in the first day of the Junior Flag Football World Cup.

Hence, the Mo Steel Seniors were required to play two-days worth of tournament games in one day, on Sunday, September 23. With veteran players (Gavin Block, Michael Karp and Brett Silvers), along with new teammates (Matthew Evans, Eli Feitelson, Steven Feld, and Willy Rosenblatt), the Mo Steel Seniors defeated Team Austria, Team Finland and Team Holland to advance to the Finals – finally defeating Team Japan, 46-40. Accompanying the team were Head Coach, David Fried and Team Manager, Dr. Steve Silvers.

According to Gary Heldenmuth, Mo Steel Seniors Team Manager, "It is a wonderful opportunity for our boys - being able to represent their country and their heritage in such a positive and influential way. They are not only Flag Football Champions; they are great ambassadors."


Posted by FJN Admin on 09/26 at 04:19 PM • Hits: 128



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