This is another installment in The Birmingham Times/AL.com/CBS42 joint series, “Beyond the Violence: What Can Be Done to Address Birmingham’s Rising Homicide Rate?” Click here to sign up for the newsletter.

Tremell Washington, a junior student athlete at Ramsay High School, said he felt like he lost a part of himself when he lost his stepfather, Andres Johnson, to gun violence last year.

On Thursday, Legion Field was buzzing with excitement for the football game as supporters expressed team loyalty in the form of school colors, Parker purple and Ramsay blue, for the first-ever Stop the Violence classic. The game featured Alabama commit Jeremiah Beaman.

Students proposed the classic after an increase in homicides, widespread gun violence and recent disturbances at high school football games. They wanted to host a fun event, in a safe environment, without the fear of a violent outbreak.

“Everyone should take away from this event the idea of coming together as people, as humans to be able to watch a football game, and cheer and have pride in your team. Just being together as a community, not having so much conflict with each other,” Malik Muhammad, Parker High School junior quarterback, said.

As a child, Muhammad lost an uncle to violence.

Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan said 17 students in the district have died from gun violence since January 2022. In Birmingham City, more than 90 people have been killed so far in 2023, though some were ruled not criminal. 2022 saw a record-setting 142 homicides in the Magic City.

Read more coverage of crime and solutions to violence.

Sgt. Travis Hendrix worked the game to ensure everyone’s safety. Hendrix lost his brother to gun violence.

“From a law enforcement standpoint, we need all the help we can get because there’s only so much we can do. We are doing everything in our power to address gun violence in the city of Birmingham,” Hendrix said. “Stuff like this, we really appreciate it. It goes a long way.”

Hendrix also is currently running to fill the vacant House District 55 seat.

Metal detectors and security guarded the stadium gates, ensuring no weapons were brought to the game.

Booths lined the entrance outside the stadium. Faith in Action, Offenders Alumni Association and What About Us handed out pamphlets and sign-up sheets for different violence prevention programs and community resources.

At the What About Us booth, members hung photos of loved ones, victims of violence

Sheree Kennon, founder of What About Us, a support group for parents who have lost children to gun violence, said seeing young people spread the anti-violence message is encouraging.

“We’re here to make a stand, share our stories and try to help a young man or young woman think twice before they pull a trigger on someone else,” Kennon said. “With us being here, hopefully they see the pain, agony and hurt that it puts on families.”

Yvonne Reynolds lost her son, Reginald Reynolds, to gun violence. He was murdered in 2022. She is originally from Chicago and contemplated if she wanted to continue to live in Birmingham after her son’s death.

Reynolds said it felt like she heard about a new shooting every day. However, joining the support group allowed her to lean on the mothers with similar experiences.

Reynolds said coming to events like the Stop the Violence Football Classic is a relief.

Announcers kicked off the game with a speech about violence awareness and unity. Parents with young children nodded their heads and clapped.

On the sidelines, mothers who had lost children cried and prayed, holding hands and hugging one another.

During halftime, family members whose loved ones died from gun violence were honored on the field. Cheerleaders handed them flowers and the crowd cheered as their names were announced.

Parker beat Ramsay 20-17.