October 22, 2008 - Roughly 400 students descended upon FedEx Field Tuesday for the Redskins 4th & Life Foundation
Senior Football Forum, an annual event that gives high school seniors who play football the opportunity to
hear straight talk from respected NFL players.
Redskins' Director of Responsibility, Ken Harvey, led a panel of Redskins players featuring quarterback Colt Brennan,
and line backer London Fletcher, to talk to the students about what it takes to prepare for life after high school and what
it takes to make it at the pro level.
Students also learned about the challenges the players faced trying to get to the NFL.
All three players faced some type of adversity and challenge in their lives while growing up and cited that overcoming
those adversities is what makes you stronger.
“My friends and I were tired of getting into trouble”, said Brennan. “So, we decided to make a pact
to do the right thing, and to make a difference.”
In a sport where there are more football players than there are available NFL slots, most players work their hardest
on the field to ensure their chances of gaining a competitive edge, but Tuesday's forum focused not only on the on-the-field
topics, but plenty of advice on how to be successful in life as well.
“It’s good to hear it from the horse’s mouth”, said one student.
Coaches seem to think so too.
“Students tend to listen to advice when it comes from someone else other than the coach, so having this forum was
a really good thing”, said a football coach from DC.
Pearls of Wisdom From The Players
“Be a good person.”
“Do the right thing.”
“Give yourself more opportunities to succeed than to fail.”
“Work as a team, be dedicated, keep your head up through the tough times.”
“Stay focused on your goals.”
“Take a speech class to learn how to deal with the media”, recommends Harvey.
Questions students asked the players
How do you prepare for game day?
Fletcher: "It's more than just working out." "I have 8 am meetings (special teams), then I review old plays, watch
film, and learn new plays."
Brennan: The play book is literally over a 1,000 pages. Every formation has to be memorized. But the more you play,
the easier it is."
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing football?
London Fletcher, a Sociology major, says he would be “working with youth.”
Colt Brennan: “Training killer whales.”
Ken Harvey: “Writing and producing movies.”
Participating High Schools (short list): T.C. Williams (Alexandria, VA); Anacostia, Ballou, Dunbar (DC
Public Schools); West Potomac, Centreville (Fairfax County); Bowie, Central, Duval, Forestville Military Academy, Friendly
( PG County); Stonewall Jackson (Prince William Co.); and Rappahannock County
Player Trivia
Former Redskin, Ken Harvey dropped out of high school, but later returned/graduated.
Colt Brennan hated Draft day/ thought he’d be drafted much higher (until he thought he wouldn’t be drafted
at all).
London Fletcher cites his mom as his biggest inspiration for succeeding. "I wanted to make my mom smile."
The Redskins 4th & Life Foundation Senior Football Forum is part of the
Redskins Charitable Foundation, an initiative designed to make a positive and measurable impact on youth development in the greater Washington, D.C. region
in the areas of education, community outreach, and health and wellness.
See other iniatives of the RCF:
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