KELSO, Ore. -- Police are looking for the vandals who destroyed more than $5000 worth of equipment belonging to the Kelso Youth Football League.
It happened sometime between Thursday night and Saturday night. “Things like this really hurt,” said league president Scott Radcliffe.
The equipment was locked inside a shed at Tam O’Shanter Park in Kelso. “Everything you see, other than the helmets, was in a pile over there, about waste deep, everything,” added parent Nick Temanson. It was Temanson and his wife, who discovered the damage.
They said white paint covered jerseys, pads, and footballs. In addition to that, graffiti and obscenities were stamped across helmets in permanent marker. “I think it's about 25 helmets at $75 apiece, so hopefully we don't have to replace them,” said Temanson.
The vandals even left behind a few calling cards. One read, "catch me if you can." The other said, "we were here."
“I can't imagine who would've done it, especially from Kelso, because I think every kid from Kelso has gone through this program,” added Temanson. And like every player before them, the current players know just how critical their equipment is. “You have to have gear to play and it hurts to get tackled without gear.”
Luckily for these players, they will not be tackled again until next season. That gives them and their coaches plenty of time to figure out who would do something so senseless and why. “I don't know what kind of background they're coming from, but taking it out this way just doesn't make any sense whatsoever,” added Radcliffe.
If you know anything about the vandalism you are urged to call the Kelso Police Department.
