LOS ANGELES— On a gray and humid summer afternoon at USC’s Howard Jones field, Anthony Beavers Jr. looks out at the dozens of kids laughing, playing, and learning the basics of football.
Tuesday was the first annual “Play Like a Trojan” event, created and coordinated by Beavers Jr., a redshirt senior on the USC football team. The kids came from L.A.’s Best, an after school program that provides free academic support and meals to young students aged 5-12 from the inner city.
Anwar Stetson. The Sporting Tribune.
Kids with L.A.’s Best and USC athletes pose for the camera with a “fight on” salute.
Beavers was once in their shoes.
“It’s a full circle moment for me, just being able to see their shirts,” said the South Central L.A. native. He was a student in the program from first to fifth grade while attending Baldwin Hills Elementary School.
The four-star safety graduated from St. Bernard High School in 2020 after stints at Narbonne and Serra (Gardena), enrolling at USC in 2021 as a first-generation college student.
Since then, he’s graduated with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Occupational Science and a Master’s in Applied Psychology—all while playing high level college football.
“L.A.’s Best is very, very, very important for the inner city,” he continued. “Not everyone can afford the after school care, so just being able to have people who actually care about you regardless of where you come from and what you look like, I think can go a long way.”
Anwar Stetson
Players teach a young student how to be a quarterback.
He emphasized the importance of letting kids know that “people who come from where you come from, and look like how you do, can do great things also.”
Known affectionately by his teammates as “Tone”, Beavers Jr. stands 6 feet and 225 lbs, with a stern and stoic countenance. His teammates at the event have always respected his leadership.
“I played 7-on-7 with Tone growing up since around 8th grade and he’s always been the same guy since 8th grade,” said teammate Josiah Zamora. “As 8th graders it’s a surprise, you’re like ‘man this guy’s really mature, we’re little 8th graders’ but it’s really great to see him give back to the community and stay the same.”
“That’s O.G. Tone” echoed teammate DJ Harper. “He always had that respect [from] all the teammates in the locker room, just by the way he carries himself.”
“He’s kind of an older soul, but people respect what he does and what he says,” said senior tight end Lake McRee.
Beavers Jr. reciprocated the love from his teammates: “I’m very appreciative for my team to come out here and support my ideas and embrace the city that I love dearly.”
The camp began with a summary of events from Clarke Stroud, USC football’s Executive Director of Player Development and University Relations.
The 75 kids would rotate around the practice field participating in a few drills, including passing, catching touchdowns, one-on-one, and most importantly, perfecting the art of the celebration.
“He look like me out there!” one player boasted after a child successfully juked their way to the endzone.
“Ayyyyy!!” roared another after a child showed off his best rendition of the fan-favorite Griddy dance. The players often showered kids with praise, dancing, and a bevy of hi-fives.
One player brought his own camera, allowing the children to feel like Saturday night superstars, performing in front of thousands of spectators and millions more watching at home.
Anwar Stetson. The Sporting Tribune
A USC football player signs a young student’s shirt
“Just seeing their smiles on their faces when we first walked in and throughout the whole thing, just kind of pushed us just to have fun and enjoy what we’re doing,” said senior long snapper Hank Peppers.
“A lot of us see us in them.” Beavers Jr. added.
After the drills, the group split the field in half, playing two competitive touch football games. “This is the last two-minute warning.” Stroud warns on the megaphone after 15 minutes and two previous call outs. The players begged him for more time to play with the kids.
The kids and players gathered around for a word from Beavers Jr. and L.A.’s Best COO Dee Ann Rivera. The senior defender told the students to “dream big”.
After a group picture, the kids enjoyed Chick-fil-A , got signed autographs from the players, and went home with a goodie bag of USC merchandise.
“This is something that could’ve been very good for my friends who chose the wrong path,’ Beavers Jr. said, “just being able to influence them with school and people who are doing great things and positive things, [it] can go a long way.”
The ‘hood’s symbolic poet laureate, late rapper Nipsey Hussle, inspired Beavers Jr. to come up with the idea to give back. “It just kind of came from just listening to music,” he said candidly.
“I was at the house listening to a lot of Nipsey Hussle, just reflecting on my life. He’s got a song called “Bigger than Life” and I think things like this are just bigger than life, you know?”
Anwar Stetson. The Sporting Tribune.
Players celebrate an athletic handstand celebration
“I was meeting with [Anthony] one on one back in January and we talked about how we are right here in South Central, right here in LA ,and we really haven’t done much with the community,” Stroud added. “I asked him, ‘have you thought about anything that we could do as a team that would have an impact?’ And he said ‘Yeah let’s do this. Let’s do it with LA‘s best.’”
“Play Like a Trojan” is the first USC football partnership with L.A.’s Best since before the pandemic, and the first involving multiple drills.
Anwar Stetson. The Sporting Tribune
A breakaway touchdown leaves the players ecstatic
For old-soul Tone, there’s no place like home.
“The University of Southern California represents the struggle, the inner city kids, and the humble beginnings,” he finished. “Being able to stay close to home, being a role model for the kids who need it, I think is something that’s very unique.”
“He’s everything you want from a Trojan,” said Stroud confidently.
“He’s what it’s about. Being a Trojan.”