NFL Champ Cliff Crosby Working to Prevent Teen Violence

Former NFL champion and Erie native was in our studios at WICU/WSEE working on an anti-violence PSA shots were fired on Friday afternoon on E. 24th Street, just a couple of blocks away from his old neighborhood.

It's the very type of problem he's working to prevent - keeping Erie's youth from getting involved in crime.

The former Saint Louis Rams defensive back and East High School alum has noticed that one consistent problem is that witnesses and often, the victims, refuse to cooperate with police.

"Law enforcement is trying to do the best they can but there's little trust between the community and law enforcement so nothing is getting done," Crosby said.

"They do a great job and do a great deal of service, but they (police) need to find a way to bridge that gap. Maybe sponsor some events where they can see that law enforcement is on the community's side," Crosby suggested.

But he says real change needs to be rooted with the kids.

"Have some goals - what are you looking forward to, what are your aspirations?" he said. "You've got guys 16-25, they're really at a loss They need guidance. Without goals, you have no direction. Have a goal and have a plan behind that goal."

As the dad of a 12 year-old son, Crosby's trying to provide some of that guidance to his family through example - by reaching out to his old community in Erie, speaking to schools around the country, and spreading the anti-violence message on social media like Instagram and Twitter.

"Put down the weapons, and join and other Erie athletes against violence. It starts with you," Crosby says in the PSA.

NFL and CFL player Jovon Johnson was in town last month for the same cause.

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