Change for De’Quan Brings Denver Together Through Football, Love, and Purpose
On Sunday afternoon, I had the privilege of attending the Change for De’Quan 5280 Influencer Flag Football Game—not simply as a spectator, but as a photographer and videographer documenting something much bigger than a football game.
I witnessed a community show up for one of its own.
Remembering De’Quan
Earlier this year, 13-year-old De’Quan lost his life after being struck by a vehicle while riding his scooter in Aurora. According to investigators, the driver fled the scene, leaving a family and an entire community searching for answers. His death became another painful reminder of how quickly a young life can be taken and how devastating those moments are for the people left behind.
No mother should ever have to bury her child.
Yet in the middle of unimaginable grief, something powerful happened.
The community stepped in.
More Than a Memorial
Organized by Amber Mygatt, the Change for De’Quan event was created to honor De’Quan’s life while surrounding his family—especially his mother—with love, support, and encouragement.
This wasn’t simply a fundraiser.
It was a declaration that this family would not have to walk through tragedy alone.
From the moment people began arriving, the atmosphere felt different. Local vendors lined the venue. Families gathered together. Children played. Music filled the air as DJs, including DJ KTone, kept the energy alive throughout the afternoon.
Community leaders, local influencers, volunteers, and neighbors all came together for one purpose: to support a family that needed to know they weren’t standing alone.
Among those in attendance was Colorado Senate President James Coleman, who has long worked on transportation safety issues, including sponsoring legislation that established statewide regulations for electric scooters and clarified where they may legally operate on Colorado roadways. (Colorado General Assembly)
The Game Didn’t Disappoint
The main event featured Team Squizzy taking on the Risk Takers in a highly entertaining flag football matchup.
Team Squizzy wasted no time making a statement.
On the very first drive, they connected on a deep pass for a spectacular touchdown, immediately igniting the crowd. Moments later, they found the end zone again, jumping out to an early lead.
But the Risk Takers weren’t finished.
After weathering those opening drives, they settled in around their third possession, finally got on the scoreboard, and followed it with a defensive stop that shifted momentum. What looked like it might become a blowout quickly turned into a competitive battle.
Every touchdown brought cheers.
Every defensive stop brought excitement.
By the final whistle, Team Squizzy earned the victory—approximately 50–28—but the scoreboard only told part of the story.
The real victory belonged to the community.
What Community Looks Like
We often hear people talk about “supporting the community.”
Sunday was what that actually looks like. Local businesses donating their time, vendors showing up to contribute and public officials standing beside residents.
It looks like neighbors spending an afternoon together for a family they’ve never met.
Most importantly, it looks like making sure a grieving mother knows she isn’t carrying her pain by herself.
That’s what community is. That’s what support looks like. That’s what love looks like.
Sometimes the greatest thing we can give someone isn’t money. It’s our presence. Our time and willingness to say, “We’re here with you.”
As I packed up my camera at the end of the day, I realized I hadn’t just documented a football game.
I had documented hope.
And that’s a story worth telling.
The Resilient Mind 
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