Football coach who used to be homeless says game saved his life

Football hasalways been a part of Liston Bates' life, but as a kid he didn't have the money or support from his family to get onto the gridiron.

Bates says he had a very strained relationship with his father, who didn't understand his love of the game andpulled him off of the high schoolfootball team. At 18-years-old,Bates was homeless andliving out of a van.

That didn't stop him from being involved in the game.

"I used to actually practice with a community team, I used to go out to their practice on a regular basis, but I couldn't afford to play.Actually Rob Ford funded a team and I travelled toEtobicokeand my football career started from there," Bates explained.

Some 15 years later, he's coaching on the same field he used to practice on.

Bates is aprogram co-ordinator and head coach for the MississaugaIndoor Football Association (MIFA).Heruns youth, women'sand men's flag and tackle football.

Bates saidhe's not justsharing his passion for football, but also breaking barriers by showing that the game can, and should, be played by all.

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"It's ridiculous, like there's women that come here with their kids, and their kids I coach and then I'm turning around an hour later and coaching their mom. I have more young ladies playing flag football every year than I have young men. It's definitely not a men's sport, it's a sport for everyone," said Bates.

Kat Webster is a mother of five who likes to mix it up on the field.All fiveof her childrenplay the sport and are coached by Bates.

"I have three younger ones, they're playing flag right now, and my older sons who are now 18, who previously played with him, are volunteering. So we're all a part of MIFA, and here I am now, finally a women's football team was created for us, so I am so happy that I finally get to play real football."

Bates says football saved him from what could have been a darker path and that coaching and sharing his passion gives him purpose.

"They don't realize they're my family, too. Sometimes [players] say, 'Coach, honestly do you have a life outside of here?'"

His passion for coaching is about more than just sharing his love of football, but about giving back to the community. For the past 10years on Thanksgiving Monday, Bates holdswhat he calls the 'Turkey Bowl.'Local football families, semi-pro, and formerplayers all come out to play football. Batesasks the participants to donatenon-parishablefood items for the local church.

"Why I do it is because a couple people stepped up and helped me out and helped me find my passion like Rob Ford andmy chaplain at myhigh school," Bates told CBC Toronto.

"I'm thankful that Ican just express my passion and have other people absorb it. I want them to know that this sport is for everyone."