Newark better known as Brick City has one of the highest crime rates in the state of New Jersey. Gangs, street hustlers and petty criminals are slowly taking over the city and have been negatively influencing our youth at a high rate from ages 12-15 but more recently beginning to affect those even younger. Throughout the chaos and turmoil emerged an organization called Brick City Lions. Its goal is to provide the young ladies and men another source to learn the value of education, responsibility, accountability, discipline and most important a sense of family & teamwork.
Brick City lions was founded in 2012 by young men from Newark looking to make an impact in the lives of the city’s youth through sports. The program has dealt with athletes who were parentless, homeless and crime victims.
One founder, Nasir Gaines, recognizing the value and importance of a strong foundation at the first competitive level of national Pop Warner joined the Jr Peewee coaching staff for the 2017 season. This group of athletes consist of many who have been with the program from inception
Nasir and BCL have touched the lives of and been responsible for the turnout of several top flight student athletes who are now competing on the next levels – high school and college football. Every High School in NJ courts BCL athletes for potential high performing candidates.