UAB football to honor Camp Smile-A-Mile patients on Saturday, September 16

Continuing one of the best college football traditions in the nation, UAB football will be honoring Camp Smile-A-Mile patients by wearing alternate black and lime uniforms with the names of 100 patients on the back of their jerseys at the game on Saturday, September 16. This tribute is part of a season-long initiative from UAB football to serve as many people and organizations in the city of Birmingham as possible.

UAB partnering with Smile-A-Mile

Since 2017, the UAB Blazers have worn jerseys in one game per season featuring the names of pediatric patients at Children’s Harbor. This season, new Head Coach Trent Dilfer wanted to extend the tribute to even more children by including patients from Camp Smile-A-Mile.

Smile-A-Mile works to provide hope, healing of the spirit and love for families in Alabama during a childhood cancer journey. Located just three blocks from UAB’s campus, Smile-A-Mile has helped families dealing with childhood cancer for 40 years and UAB student-athletes have done numerous volunteer activities to serve with the organization.

On Thursday, September 14, patients from Smile-A-Mile got an opportunity to meet their player match ahead of Saturday’s big game against Louisiana. Braylyn Peterson, 7-year-old cancer survivor and first grader at Moody Elementary School, met her player Jamarcus Jones after practice.

Fun fact: This will be the first time UAB has worn black uniforms since 2006. 

Cheer on Braylyn Peterson & the UAB Blazers

Come out Saturday, September 16 to cheer on Braylyn and the UAB Blazers as they take the field against Louisiana. If you’ve never been to a football game at Protective Stadium, here’s what to expect. 

• UAB vs. Louisiana | September 16, 6:00PM
• Where: Protective Stadium, 1020 24th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Tickets

In addition to the Camp Smile-A-Mile game September 16, UAB players will wear the names of Children’s Harbor patients on their jerseys for the October 7 game against University of South Florida and the November 4 game against Florida Atlantic University.

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for Bham Now’s free newsletter today.