Football was a constant in the life of 14-year-old Marcus Chatman Jr., who was shot and killed last week in Auburn Gresham.
Marcus spent most of his years playing football with the Midwest Hawks youth football program. That’s where he made lifelong friends and built a sense of identity that stayed with him off the field.
“He’s been playing football since he was 5-years-old,” his mother, Ahmani Hicks, told the Sun-Times. “That was his thing.”
Football also showed up in how Marcus cared for the people closest to him, Hicks said, especially his three younger brothers. He went to their games and spent much of his time throwing the football with them in the front yard.
“Marcus was their hero,” Hicks said. “He was their biggest supporter.”
Marcus was shot and killed last Thursday. Chicago police said he was walking that evening in the 8000 block of South Carpenter Street when he was struck by multiple bullets. Authorities have announced no arrests.
Through football, Marcus formed one of his closest friendships with Tamarion Colvin, who met him through the football program when they were both 10-years-old.
“As the practice days went by, me and Marcus talked more often,” Colvin said. “We started going places together outside of practice. He then became my brother. It was deeper than friendship.”
Colvin said football became the foundation of their bond, carrying from practice to everyday life. He described Marcus as someone who never changed, whether he was on or off the field. Marcus was competitive, energetic and always thinking about others first, he said.
“He was a people pleaser,” Colvin said. “He tried to make sure everybody was good before himself. He would just call to see how you’re doing, and was an actual, genuine friend.”
Hicks said the football community has stepped in to support the family following his death. Teammates, coaches and families from Marcus’ youth programs have come to their home with food, flowers and other support.
“They’ve been bringing groceries, cards, just showing love,” Hicks said. “If we’re not answering the phone, they’re still coming to the house. … And we need that right now.”
His uncle, Bert Kenerson, said younger people need the sense of community and connection that Marcus had with football.
“We got to stand together,” Kenerson said. “We got to learn to uplift each other and support each other whenever we can. That’s the only way we’re going to get back to community.”
Kenerson also called for more mentorship in young people’s lives, saying many teenagers are navigating challenges without strong direction.
“As Black men, especially, we got to do better because we got to step up,” he said.
Marcus’ family is still grappling with other questions, such as how did this happen, and how can communities better protect young people?
Hicks said she hopes other teenagers learn to be careful about choosing the people surrounding them, and to also listen to the people trying to guide them the right way.
Friday would have marked Marcus’ 15th birthday.