LOS ANGELES—NFL players past, present and future came together Thursday morning to make a difference in the Los Angeles community.
As part of the One Team, One Community theme—the NFLPA’s initiative that brings national community service efforts involving NFL players under one umbrella—the NFLPA Rookie Premiere Presented by Nike Fitness Challenge took place at Alexander Hamilton High School. NFL players and volunteers conducted a healthy lifestyle and fitness program for 200 high-school students.
The participating rookies included: A.J. Jenkins, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Weeden, Chris Givens, Isaiah Pead, Justin Blackmon, Lamar Miller, Mohamed Sanu, Ronnie Hillman, Rueben Randle, T.J. Graham, Trent Richardson and Kendall Wright.
“It went great,” Sanu said by phone. “I just enjoyed spending the time with the kids and making sure they enjoyed themselves. It’s a great thing just to give back and listen to them. As a receiver, I’m trying to teach them to look the ball all the way in; you catch with your eyes and not your hands.”
Former Oklahoma State teammates Blackmon and Weeden, good friends on and off the field, relished the chance to teach the students a little they know about football while giving back to the local community.
“We’re hopefully teaching them to reach their goals, to keep trying to reach them,” Blackmon told PPI. “I’m very excited to be out here. Any time I can come out and give back, I’ll do it.”
Beginning with an introductory assembly, Richardson and Blackmon provided instruction on the importance of healthy living. The 13 rookies then led the students in six physical activity stations, each containing different elements of fitness, flag football and other non-contact activities.
One station (QB challenge) tested the high schoolers’ ability to shed simulated blockers and make accurate throws, while the random fitness station taught exercise activities and the fumble recovery station provided the experience of being a linebacker. At the relay race, participants hiked, threw, ran and maneuvered through football bags; at the form running station, players ran through sport-specific techniques like high-knee, shuffle and back-pedal. The sixth station, “The winning catch,” featured students displaying their lateral quickness before catching touchdown passes—then demonstrating their best celebration moves in imitation of their favorite NFL stars.
“I’m at the quarterback station,” Weeden said in an exclusive interview. “Justin and I are timing guys as they go through. It’s a pretty cool circuit. Anytime you work on fitness, you’re trying to get in better shape and improve yourself.”
Near the conclusion of the event, some students were randomly selected as winners of special prizes, including autographed items and footballs provided by the NFLPA. The event wrapped with Panini Card Wars, a trading card game hosted by sponsor Panini America that featured more prize giveaways to participating students.
Weeden said students asked a lot of questions throughout the day, and the rookies took it all in stride.
“I’ve always been a big fan of giving back,” Weeden said. “We’re in a position now where we can give back. People look up to us. It’s just something I’m very passionate about and I really enjoy doing.”
Members of the 2012 rookie class, eager to make their mark on the field this season, have already impacted the local community this offseason. Just a few years ago, they were in the students’ shoes. Everything has changed now that they’re on the other side as professional athletes.
“It’s a totally different experience,” Sanu said. “You’re playing the game you love to play as a child. I’m just enjoying the whole process and counting my blessings.”
By Khalil Garriott
