A star athlete who didn't forget about Cleveland

NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2005. He was traded to the New York Jets in 2009 and is currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers. As a rookie, Edwards made a promise to 100 Cleveland area eighth-graders. If they maintained a 2.5 GPA throughout high school and completed 15 hours of community service, he would give each of them $10,000 toward their college education.   It would've been easy for him to renege on his promise after being traded and subsequently playing in other cities. Nevertheless, Edwards stayed true to his word as 79 of the original 100 met the scholarship criteria upon graduation.

That's right. Edwards paid $790,000 in scholarship money. He gave these students a lot more than money, though. Have a look at the story Rick Reilly put together on him for ESPN.com by clicking here. I know most of us are not millionaires and we certainly can't help send 79 kids to college. However, we do have the ability to keep our promises. Do what you say you're going to do. There's a young person or maybe several young people in your life that need you as an adult to keep your promise. Don't let them down. Be like Braylon Edwards and see the experience through. For the reward in building successful young people is far greater than the sacrifice. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol