Ex-NFL Star Partners with Kids Are Heroes

Posted by Gabe on February 3, 2010 under Kids are Heroes | 7 Comments to Read

Have you ever been involved with something that made you feel like you were the snowball at the top of the hill and someone just gave you a push?  That’s how I feel right about now.  I was recently approached by someone who asked me if I would consider a partnership.  Now I am starting to get these requests all the time. I’m certainly not complaining, but some of the “partners” see our social media numbers and picture nothing but opportunity for them.  I was naturally guarded at first.  However, it didn’t take long for me to figure out that Mary, this new contact, was genuine and smart, and that this relationship could greatly benefit the both of us.  Mary works with Levar Fisher, who after a stellar stint as an all-pro linebacker at NC State (Go Wolfpack!!), enjoyed a career in the NFL as he played for the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints.  Unfortunately for him, at the age of 27 he had a career ending knee injury.  “Unfortunate” is how many would view this situation. Not Levar.  He sees this as a godsend.  “I was a check writer when I was in the NFL” Levar told me.  “If people needed money for charity, I was happy to write them a check. But don’t ask me to appear at your function. I’m not comfortable with that.”  Levar laughs when he looks back because now this is his livelihood.  And boy is he happy doing it!  Levar travels around the country as a motivational speaker.  He speaks to all ages, but his true love is when he gets to speak to kids.  He speaks of choices that face our youth, and encourages them to make the right ones.  In high school he was bullied because as he puts it, he was “fat and slow”.  “I’m going to be in the NFL!” he would tell people.  “Levar, you’re crazy!! You’re way too fat for the NFL – you can’t even play for our high school football team!” his peers would tell him as they laughed and joked.  Rather than let this ridicule beat him down, Levar was actually motivated by those disparaging remarks.  In his sophomore year in high school he was the best player on the varsity team.  He received a full scholarship to NC State. And you know the rest. “Don’t EVER let anyone tell you you can’t achieve your dream!” Levar tells kids.

In 2002 while just entering the NFL Levar founded a non-profit organization called “Fisher of Men”, which provide resources and opportunities for youth inspiring good decision-making and boosting self confidence. Levar is currently embarking on his brand new ”Believe Again 2010″ tour that will have him traveling the country speaking to kids of all ages.  In addition to his usual message he will be telling stories of the kids on the Kids Are Heroes web site and what they have accomplished.  This fits right in with his confidence building speech.  He will be telling kids all over the country that they too can affect change by emulating the children on our site.  I am so excited about this relationship as this is the kind of boost we need.  But I wouldn’t enter in an arrangement like this just because someone wanted me to.  For me the final test before we sealed this partnership was that Levar had to sincerely believe in what we are doing.  During one of our conversations as he was recounting some of the heroes’ stories back to me I could tell he was full of excitement and anticipation.  I sat back and listened as all of a sudden paused and said, “This can change the world!”  That’s when I knew this partnership would work.

When I first watched a tape of Levar speaking, I immediately sought out our local Toastmasters club as he made me realize how much improvement I need to gain as an accomplished speaker.  For forty minutes he was fluid and eloquent, with no need for notes of any kind.  And when I heard the speech he gave to a large group of kids I was even more excited. He engaged them and they hung on his every word.  They laughed and giggled at his jokes.  He is intelligent, funny and very pleasant to listen to.  He was able to keep their undying attention for the entire time.

If you are an educator I would highly suggest calling Levar and having him speak at your school or kids’ group.  He can be reached through his web site.  I look forward to witnessing the fruit that is borne from this relationship, and I just can’t wait to see what happens next!