The sports complex at Chittick Field in Long Beach was renamed in honor of former city councilmember Dee Andrews on Saturday, Nov. 20.
“I am so thankful and proud to be honored here today,” Andrews told the crowd the morning of Nov. 20.
The facility at Chittick Field will now be known as the Dee Andrews Sports Complex, located at 1900 Walnut Ave.
During the renaming event Nov. 20, members of Poly High School’s current football and cheerleading teams were present.
Andrews attended Poly High School in Long Beach, where he stood out as an athlete on the football team.
After attending Poly, Andrews joined the NFL.
“He’s broken a lot of records […] in sports.” Mayor Robert Garcia said. “And this is just another way of adding to that legacy.”
His time as a professional athlete was followed by a career as an educator, city council member and vice mayor of Long Beach.
“I think Dee’s legacy and Dee’s service goes beyond sports. It goes beyond the field,” Garcia said.
State Assemblymember Mike Gipson, Andrews’s cousin, presented Andrews with a certificate.
“I’m excited about today,” Gipson said. “It’s not everyday that a community comes together and supports a great man. It’s not everyday that a community comes together to show their love and their appreciation and recognize his great tremendous leadership.”
The event concluded with Andrews unveiling the new sign for the Dee Andrews Sports Complex.
