by Greg McCorkle

Students at Cascade Middle School in Burien were treated with a big surprise yesterday when Seahawk players led by quarterback Russell Wilson and slot receiver Doug Baldwin came to their school for a Home Town Huddle event to inform students about good eating habits and an active healthy lifestyle.
Home Town Huddle, created in 1999 by the NFL and the United Way, is a program that helps franchises volunteer within their local communities. King County United Way and the Seahawks have set the bar in what a franchise community relationship can look like. At this event were representatives of CostCo and the DLR Architects Group of Seattle.

The Seahawks and players work tirelessly to help kids understand what it means to have a healthy life and give kids a chance to succeed in life. Part of this effort is the NFL’s Play 60 program to keep kids active and healthy. Outside at the track field Play 60 had several stations set up for the kids to participate, including a 40 yard dash and high jump. Members of the Blue Pride Drum Corps held mock tryouts for those who were interested. On the campus DLR and CostCo are in the process of renovating the student lounge with input from students to give them a place to relax and study.

Seahawk players went from classroom to classroom connecting with the kids who were clearly excited about the visit. While exhorting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, players such as Stanford graduate Doug Baldwin took on a more personal slant. Baldwin presented an algebra problem to a math class and helped students logically work it out.

Russell Wilson, a national ambassador for the United Way, opened up to students and spoke of his issues as a middle school student. He talked of his poor grades and his bullying, but by “Surrounding myself with great people, my parents, and though faith I turned myself around. Three things I began to live by are the three P’s. Purpose, Perspective, and always Persevering”.

By all accounts Home Town Huddle was a complete success with the students, staff, and the organizations involved.
Even with the rain falling the kids were all smiles.