A child rushing for a first down will also be helping to raise awareness of a serious disease thanks to the work of a caring group of people.

Members of the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority have painted the two football fields at Riverview Park behind the levee using pink paint in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The yard lines and boundary lines were made pink prior to Tuesday night’s slate of youth football games with help from Sherwin-Williams, which partnered with the RFPRA and donated the paint.

“Breast cancer affects a lot of people, and we’re just trying to do our part,” said Todd Wofford, RFPRA parks superintendent.

“Youth sports are so important to the kids and a lot of adults. Out there you have kids that are fighting for a touchdown while, at the same time, you can have moms in the stands who are fighting for their lives,” he said.

The idea to make the lines pink came from the city’s experience of using pink lines with certain breast cancer awareness events that were sponsored by Shorter University.

Wofford said they wanted to expand that and increase awareness by using the theme on the youth football fields.

“The kids see it on television during NFL games with players wearing pink shoes and gloves, so this allows them to be a part of it,” Wofford said. “We hope it’s something we can do every year as we go forward.”

The fight against breast cancer also resonates on a personal level with the RFPRA.

Rick Haase, who is the youth football sports coordinator, has been working for the authority for more than 25 years. His wife is a two-time survivor of breast cancer.

“It is very treatable, and if you catch it early enough you can beat it,” Wofford said.

The fields will remain pink through the end of the month, and Wofford said he has received text messages and emails from people saying it looks great.

“Rick was there on Tuesday night and said it was real neat to have it,” he said.