Deputies Fulfill Promise to Play Football If Kid Stays Out of Trouble

With one bad move, a 10-year-old kicked off something good.

Deputies from the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station fulfilled a promise Saturday: to get down and dirty playing flag football with a group of students. But it wasn’t just an average throwing of the pigskin.

In February, a boy became the catalyst for the inspiring event by bringing a knife to an elementary school.

When deputies responded to the Whittier area school on February 25, they didn’t know what to expect -- maybe a bad kid.

Field Training Officer Deputy Roberto Catalan and his training partner, Deputy Eberto Loera, detained 10-year-old James. But as the investigation progressed, they learned James wasn’t a delinquent: he was just a boy who needed guidance.

James was the youngest of five children to a single mother, and his brothers and sisters were all much older. His mother Esther worked two jobs to support them all.

Catalan began meeting with James weekly after he was transferred to another school.

James began to love reading, and was still doing well with his math. But James' first love was football, which gave Catalan an idea.

Catalan struck up a bargain with James: if he could retain his good grades and stay out of trouble, he promised an epic grudge match.

Deputies versus James and his friends.

Months later, Catalan fulfilled his promise. About 20 children with their families went head-to-head with the deputies of the Pico Rivera station.

Community members far and wide — including a woman from Culver City — came out to watch the match after seeing it on Facebook.

Deputies said it was hugely successful, as many of the community members had no ties to the children at all.

Way to go, James.