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Town Rallies For School Team After Theft

AUDIE CORNISH, Host:

A Detroit high school's football team got a jolt last Monday. Thieves broke into the field house at the Frederick Douglass College Preparatory Academy for Young Men. They stole the players' equipment. And that day's JV game had to be cancelled. Teacher Michael Carrauthers says many of his students come from disadvantaged homes and the theft hit them hard. But then word got around.

MICHAEL CARRAUTHERS: The members of the community that normally weren't associated with our students decided that our plight was their plight and they came to aid and rescue our young people.

CORNISH: Other area schools donated equipment. Local businesses gave thousands of dollars. Even the NFL stepped in. Detroit Lions tackle Ndamukong Suh dropped by and donated new cleats, gloves and helmets. Friday's varsity homecoming game was back on. Michael Carrauthers is proud.

CARRAUTHERS: The biggest point of our story is that we wanted our students to stay resilient through adversity. I think that our students are the embodiment of the spirit of the citizens of Detroit.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

CORNISH: Oh, by the way, the Frederick Douglas Hurricanes won their homecoming game 50 to nothing. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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