Women to hit the gridiron

Published 12:00 pm Friday, April 8, 2016

Want to see Oxford’s blondes and brunettes face off on a football field?

Alzheimer’s Mississippi is bringing a women’s flag football game to Oxford that pits the blondes and brunettes against one another April 16.

The game, TackleALZ, is at 4 p.m. at Lafayette High School’s football field and for $10, residents can watch the action and enjoy the afterparty.

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“It is a great time and we would encourage the local community to come out and support the players who have put in hours of practice and organizing other events leading up to the big game,” said committee chairwoman Mary Nelda Lott. “It’s a fun way to support a young philanthropist and a Mississippi-based organization. And, besides, I think we could all use a little football in the spring.”

The game will be eight versus eight, but there are at least 15 to 20 on the roster per team.

The idea for the game first started in 2011 in Jackson when a woman wanted to do something to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease after it claimed her grandfather. More than 70 woman participated in the first game and it has grown since.

All proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s Mississippi.

“Alzheimer’s Mississippi offers free programs for caregivers and persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease including three conferences held across the state,” Lott said. “There are over 40 support groups throughout Mississippi. The organization actively advocates for advances in research funding for institutions in Mississippi and at the federal level.”

Want to play, but you’re a redhead?

“Redheads are free agents, they can choose their side,” Lott said.

For more information, visit act.alz.org.