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USL Birmingham Legion FC

Legion FC Unveils Second-Annual, Commemorative Jersey in Partnership with Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

June 15, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Birmingham Legion FC News Release


BIRMINGHAM, AL - Birmingham Legion FC announced today that as a part of the continued community partnership with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the club will wear a redesigned, limited-edition kit with the Institute's logo emblazoned on the back in its match on Saturday, June 19 at BBVA Field versus Austin Bold FC.

The jersey is grey, with the new BCRI logo between the shoulder blades, a patch with match details on the chest, and "18 - Juneteenth - 65" on the lower back in honor of Juneteenth, i.e. the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

As explained by DeJuana Thompson, Interim President & CEO of the Institute, "On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended, and slaves had been freed. Though president Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation became law in January 1863, it was not enforced in places still under confederate control. Thus, it took over 2 years for approximately 250,000 Texan slaves to learn their freedom had been secured by the government."

Following the match, each of the game-worn, player-signed jerseys will be up for auction, and all proceeds will go directly to the Institute. Keep an eye on our social media pages, @bhmlegion, and on the website, bhmlegion.com, starting on Saturday for more information about where and how to enter.

"We're honored to continue our partnership with an organization as distinguished as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute," said Jay Heaps, Legion FC President and General Manager. "We want to thank the Institute, President Thompson, and Board Chair Isaac Cooper for coordinating a recent tour of the Institute for our players and staff. The BCRI continues to do inspiring work to educate and combat social injustice and racial inequality, and we are proud to support them in their efforts."

"Nelson Mandela said, 'Sport has the power to the change the world,'" said Isaac Cooper, Chair of BCRI Board of Directors. "Professional athletes have played, and will continue to play, a vital role in our fight for social justice. This continued partnership has been a great benefit for BCRI, and it's been a pleasure collaborating with Legion FC to continue our global mission."

Legion FC is a corporate member at the Institute, and the full team and technical staff went on a guided tour of the Institute on June 9. The club's other jersey sponsors, Red Diamond, Buffalo Rock, and Mercedes Benz of Birmingham approved the commemorative kit and stand with Legion FC in support of BCRI.

You can best support the Institute by also becoming a member - find more information at bcri.org. Also, any Institute member can come by the Legion FC Team Shop, located on 2213 1st Ave S in downtown Birmingham, show their BCRI membership card, and receive 10% off all Legion FC merchandise.

Tickets for the team's match Saturday, on Juneteenth, can be found HERE, and anyone with questions can reach out to info@bhmlegion.com or tickets@bhmlegion.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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