The Dorchester Elite Eagles youth football program held an end-of-season banquet in Florian Hall on March 29 with a special dedication to their late coach Leroy ‘Bum’ Peoples Jr., who passed away suddenly in February.

The team celebrated their first year in the American Youth Football league after moving from the Pop Warner organization last spring following their 14U 2023 national championship season.

With the mantra of “More Than Just Football,” the Eagles community packed the hall with players and families. In addition to celebrating the season just concluded, the gathering also paid tribute to Peoples, Jr., a Mattapan resident who was a long-time coach and who also worked with the city’s Safe Streets team. A special video tribute was played, and his family was presented with a framed Eagles jacket.

Mayor Wu joined the crowd in congratulating the teams on their successful season.