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Video Of Philadelphia Officer Playing Football With Kids Goes Viral

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When Germantown neighbor Melanie Wright, looked outside her window and saw her nephews and their friends playing football, she thought nothing out of the ordinary.

When she looked closer, she saw a blue shirt on a fully uniformed Philadelphia Police Officer from the 14th district. He was taken part in the game and she was stunned by the sight.

"It just was very heartwarming to me," Wright said. "I really just appreciated the time he took, because like I said, I'm sure he could of been anywhere else, doing something else, and here he was with my nephews playing football."

The block is a part of Officer Shawn Cave's patrol, but playing football on a hot Memorial Day is not exactly a job requirement. "They were kind of surprised; kind of shocked," Cave said. "We broke up into two teams and I told them I was going to be steady quarterback.

After the game, the kids and Officer Cave spoke about the importance of staying in school. They also had a little fun as the kids got their hands on the patrol car sirens and lights, perhaps some of the first things that come to mind when we think of law enforcement.

Officer Cave now hopes that images like the game he played now come to mind.

"I hope they understand that police are their friends," Cave said. "We're here to help."

"So many people are afraid of the cops and what they stand for and for him to come and just take the time out of his busy day, to play with my nephews and a few other friends, it just warmed my heart," Wright said.

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