It was 2016 when University of Alabama at Birmingham football players, under the direction of then-Head Coach Bill Clark, volunteered at Children’s Harbor, a Birmingham-based nonprofit that helps the families of seriously ill children.

This year. the partnership will be celebrating its eighth anniversary of the “Champions for Our Children” UAB football game.

Possibly the most unique aspect of this game is that 100 sick children will be represented by players wearing their names on jerseys. Following the game, each child will be given their own special jersey. This was made possible after a $25,000 donation from the Bill Clark Family Foundation.

“We started the Children’s Harbor game in 2017 with the idea of playing for the patients and former patients of Children’s Harbor,” said Clark. “When we decided to put the names on the back of our jerseys, it made our team know they were playing for the names on the back and not just themselves.

“This game has turned into so much more than we even dreamed of and has truly become one of the best college football traditions in the country.”

Cat Outzen, Children’s Harbor chief executive officer, spoke about the event and what it can accomplish.

“Our partnership with UAB Football and sponsors like the Bill Clark Family Foundation embodies the profound impact we can create when communities come together,” Outzen said. “This initiative exemplifies the very essence of our mission – to provide solace and support to families navigating the challenges of serious illnesses.

“Together, we’re lighting up the lives of these young champions and showing them, they are never alone.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.