Birmingham Legion FC unveils ‘Juneteenth’ kits

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – For the third time in club history, Birmingham Legion is honoring Juneteenth with a limited edition kit.

The Legion revealed their special edition kits Saturday ahead of a large crowd at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s Juneteenth: A celebration for the Culture. The club says their kit’s are designed to pay homage to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church by symbolizing solidarity, strength, and hope in the fight for equality.

“We are grateful that our hometown soccer team has chosen to honor the Birmingham Movement of 1963 with this year’s edition of their Juneteenth kit,” Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) President and CEO DeJuana Thompson said. “It matters that each of us in the community remembers and celebrates the powerful history that we all share in our great city.”

On the kit is the 16th Street Baptist Church famous Wales Window, which commemorates the 1963 bombing of the church. Also on the kit is a silhouette of the “Four Spirits” sculpture, which memorializes the four victims of the church bombing.

Birmingham Legion Juneteenth kits(Birmingham Legion FC)

In roman numerals on each sleeve is the date in which the church bombing occurred, September 15, 1963. “A Love That Forgives” was the sermon that day, and the Legion say that slogan is featured on the inside of the kits collar.

“Juneteenth is very important to our entire club and community, so we wanted to drive awareness in a unique way with these kits,” said Legion FC President and General Manger Jay Heaps. “It was exciting to see the fans’ reactions to the kit today. We want to thank BCRI and its partners for allowing us to be a part of such a special celebration.”

The Legion say that a limited number of Juneteenth kits will be available to purchase on a first-come first-serve basis at Protective Stadium for Wednesday’s match. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. against San Antonio FC.

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