The Fight to Save Coach Fofo From Deportation

Edge of Sports

Dave Zirin / The Nation

News, Sports News, Sports, History, Politics

4.8 • 616 Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2019

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today we speak to Casa de Maryland Services Director George Escobar about the fight to save Agbegnigan Amouzou, also known as ‘Coach Fofo,’ from deportation. Coach Fofo, a native of Togo, has been a staple in both the Montgomery and Prince George County sports scene for decades and leading the fight is the aforementioned Casa de Maryland as well as clergy and community leaders. We also have ‘Choice Words’ on Tiger’s historic victory at the Masters last weekend, and his friendship with Donald Trump. We also have ‘Just Stand Up’ and ‘Just Sit Down’ awards to supporters of the MLS Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Baseball. All this and more on this week’s show! George Escobar Twitter: @CASAforall https://www.thenation.com/article/agbegnigan-amouzou-soccer-coach-trump-deportation/ Zirin, Tiger Woods Can’t Be Apolitical in the Age of Trump and Kaepernick https://www.thenation.com/article/tiger-woods-masters-trump-kaepernick/ — http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: [email protected] | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE) — Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Passin’ Me By - The Pharcyde | Whoa - Black Rob | A Friend - Krs-One | Long Story Short - Black Milk | Flava In Ya Ear - Craig Mack | Comin’ For Ya - DMX | The Wire Theme Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcript

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0:00.0	There's a lot of attention when we talk about immigration on the child separation crisis going on in the border.
0:08.0	There's a lot of attention being placed with, you know, caravans of people coming into the United States.
0:14.0	But to be honest, the real family separation crisis that is happening is actually happening within the United States.
0:22.0	This is, this is happening amongst families that have deep roots in the community,
0:27.3	decades of experience in the United States.
0:34.2	Welcome to the Edge of Sports podcast. I'm Dave Ziron. We got a hell of a show this week. Let me try to explain what we're going to do. Start by understanding his name. It's Abegnignan Amosu. But he is known throughout Montgomery and Prince George's County as Coach Fofo.
0:56.6	This extraordinary, much-lauded youth soccer coach has worked with hundreds of young people
1:01.0	throughout the D.C. area, many of whom find in Coach Fofo a source of stability and strength
1:06.5	in their otherwise turbulent lives. But after living in the United States for almost 20 years,
1:12.6	he is now facing deportation back to his native Togo and has been informed that he needs to go in
1:18.5	and see ICE on April 29th. Now leading that fight against his deportation alongside clergy and community
1:25.4	leaders is the organization Casa de Maryland.
1:28.3	Today we speak to Casa de Maryland's services director, George Escobar, about the fight to save Coach Fofo.
1:36.0	Also, I've got some choice words about Tiger Woods' win at the Masters and his precarious relationship with Donald Trump.
1:42.6	I've got Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down Awards and more.
1:45.7	But first, let's talk to George Escobar.
1:52.9	George Escobar, thanks so much for joining us here on the Edge of Sports podcast.
1:58.3	Of course. Thanks for having me.
2:00.5	Yeah, can you tell our listeners first and foremost who is Coach Fofo?
2:05.8	Sure.
2:07.1	Coach Fofo is a Togalese immigrant who has about 20 to 30 years in in our community.
2:18.3	So we, he's a football coach that also has a youth soccer academy that he leads in Montgomery County.
	...

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