Schools
Grades and the Gridiron
Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Thomas Jones talked with Crofton Woods Elementary School students about living healthy and reaching their goals.
It’s fun to watch the NFL players on TV. It’s even more fun when an NFL player comes to your school.
Students at Crofton Woods Elementary School recently heard from running back Thomas Jones about the importance of getting a good education.
Jones is in his 5th year with the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Jones came to the school to speak under an organized effort of the Department of Labor about the “Stay Out-Stay Alive” program. This program emphasizes the importance of getting outside to play at least 60 minutes per day. There is a similar program that the children are learning about called NFL Play 60.
He shared the importance of putting the video games away and going outside to play. He also talked about the importance of being safe in unfamiliar situations.
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Jones took various questions from the children about his time spent in the NFL; his likes and dislikes, and what he wants to do after football. He plans to return to finish his Master’s in Education and perhaps pursue a music or acting career.
He shared with the crowd that he graduated from college in just 3 years because he had taken many college credit classes in high school. He also stressed the importance of doing well in school and listening to your parents and teachers.
“The college degree is the most important thing. Football is great, but it doesn’t last forever,” Jones shared.
Jones told the children that he had to help out a lot around the house doing chores and mowing yards when he was growing up. He believes this taught him the value of working hard.
His dad was a correctional officer; his mother worked in the coal mines in the small Virginia town that he is from. Both humbling, he told the crowd how he learn the value of hard work from them and acknowledged how much they sacrificed for his family.
Both of his parents came to the school to hear their son speak.
Parent Mr. Meilinger is the father of a 4th and 2nd grader and works with the Dept. of Labor with this program. He was helpful in securing Jones come to speak with students.
