Photos courtesy Washington Redskins
Junior Achievement joined the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and presenting sponsor Coca Cola for the 4th and Life High School Football Forum, focusing on preparing nearly 400 high school football players for life after football.
Redskins players Vernon Davis, Anthony Lanier, Colt McCoy, and Houston Bates joined business leader JA volunteers Michael Steinitz (Robert Half), Mike Hydeck (WUSA9), and James "TaB" Patrick (retired U.S. Air Force), to touch on a variety of topics such as coping with peer pressure, staying healthy, and planning for their academic and athletic futures. The day started out with a passionate pep talk from Rick "Doc" Walker. The forum provides high school athletes with the unique opportunity to engage in open and wide-ranging dialogue with Redskins players.
After the group panel discussion, student-athletes divided into their respective grades to dive deeper into topics relative to their age. Breakout sessions, developed and facilitated by Junior Achievement, included goal setting and management; academics, financial literacy, and passion outside of football; responsibility, accountability, and pressure; community service and leadership; and creating your own map.