Atlanta cops to play basketball against retired Hawks players

Atlanta Hawks' Theo Ratliff (42) battles Chicago Bulls' Donyell Marshall, right, and Marcus Fizer (21) for a loose ball during the fourth quarter Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, in Atlanta. The Theo Ratliff Foundation is one of the partners for the 2018 Atlanta Peace Games.

Credit: GREGORY SMITH

Credit: GREGORY SMITH

Atlanta Hawks' Theo Ratliff (42) battles Chicago Bulls' Donyell Marshall, right, and Marcus Fizer (21) for a loose ball during the fourth quarter Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, in Atlanta. The Theo Ratliff Foundation is one of the partners for the 2018 Atlanta Peace Games.

Who would win in a basketball game between Atlanta cops and retired Hawks players? We’re about to find out.

The Atlanta Police Department will host the city's first Peace Games on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Aquatic Center. The free and public game will be played at 11:30 a.m., after local youth are able to have private conversations with Hawks alumni and APD officers, a press release said.

APD Chief Erika Shields said the event is a good “opportunity for officers to have much-needed positive interactions with young people.”

“When we positively interact with a child on the front end, we have the potential to change their outlook on law enforcement for life,” she said. “The significant impacts of building these valuable relationships with Atlanta’s youth can be endless.”

The original Peace Game was held in Chicago in 2012 through a partnership between Connor Sports, a local church and NBA players. Established as a way to address social issues through sports, youth and communities, it has since expanded to other cities including Los Angeles, New Orleans and Philadelphia.

Connor Sports provides court upgrades and event management support for the Peace Games. NBA Cares and the Theo Ratliff Foundation, an Atlanta-based foundation from a former Atlanta Hawk, have also partnered for the Atlanta event. The Hawks will provide gift bags and merchandise.

Parent or guardian permission is required for all children at www.atlpeacegames.com.

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