Calgary Stampeder wide-receiver Anthony Parker is speaking out against domestic violence and is our Inspiring Albertan this week.
Stampeder fans love to see number 86 making a great catch and using his speed to head for the end zone but there’s more to Anthony Parker than football.
When he's not on the field, Parker can be found working with the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters on its Leading Change project, which is aimed at ending violence against women.
"It's just such a vast problem in our society that's so overlooked and to me personally, it comes close to me as a family as well. My wife, my mother-in-law and my mother have all been affected directly by domestic violence and so it kind of became a no-brainer as to why I should be a part of it and make a difference given my role in society now,” said Parker.
Anita Harder is the Manager of Therapeutic Services at the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter and says having Parker and other male athletes speak to boys and young men is advantageous.
“People are willing to stand up and listen to what athletes say because they're prominent and successful and they're big men who are manly and a lot of young men don't really know what being manly means,” said Harder.
Having a Grey Cup Championship ring also impresses young people, especially boys, and suggests the person wearing it is a winner. Parker says it's important to get to young people with the message.
“I think attacking it from the grassroots level, trying to get in touch with young men specifically, they are at the forefront of what our society is gonna be and so to be able to give them the tools going forward to understand what healthy relationships are and how they can be a positive impact in our society is really where the important stuff is at,” he said.
Parker also pitched in to help pack bags with toys donated to CTV Calgary’s Toy Mountain campaign this year.
For using his position in the community to help put an end to domestic violence, Anthony Parker is our Inspiring Albertan this week.
