NFL

Pete Carroll, No Longer In L.A., Is Still Trying To Make Its Streets Safer

I remember reading an LA Times piece about former USC and current Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll that blew me away.

As the story goes, twice a month Carroll would leave his office at USC, and, led by former gang member Bo Taylor, would drive into some of South L.A.’s toughest neighborhoods to just sort of, you know, talk to people.

We stood in a dark courtyard, littered with shards of broken glass. Carroll was quickly surrounded by a dozen people, some wanting to shake his hand, some staring in disbelief, some wanting to tell him a story. The coach heard talk of addiction, jail, police, prostitution and the Bible. He heard about the Bruins and Notre Dame and Neuheisel.

Carroll had started a foundation called A Better LA, which was dedicated to stopping inner-city violence. His trips were the result of a very hands-on (and some would say borderline psychotic) approach to helping the foundation achieve its goals.

Even though Carroll has since moved on to Seattle, he’s still trying to reduce the crazyness on some of LA’s toughest streets. Right now, he’s in the midst of trying to raise $10,000 for A Better LA, and so far, he’s raised $5,668. I’d encourage you to check it out – Carroll is asking for donations in increments of $24, which is a small price for a bit of good karma as you start the weekend.