Paterson Youths Share in "Experience" Designed to Go Well Beyond Football

By Keith A. Idec
Herald & News

DeQuan Jackson learned a little something about playing on the offensive line Friday afternoon. A sophomore quarterback at Eastside High School, he has a newfound appreciation for what those who protect him from harm on the gridiron go through. Jackson learned a lot more about life at Subda Field, though. Along with more than 150 other Paterson youths, Jackson joined seven Giants and numerous community and corporate leaders for this year´s Athletes in Action "Football Experience" clinics.

"They were giving us some real good examples," Jackson said. "We were learning from the best."

All along the former Riggin Field, home of Becton High´s football team and a practice field for the Arena Football League´s New Jersey Red Dogs, freshmen and sophomores from the Eastside and Kennedy football program, as well as younger participants form the Paterson Police Athletic League, were schooled in football skills.

At the conclusion of each session, Giants players tackled a variety of off-the-field subjects in delivering motivational messages.

Giants tailback Tiki Barber, who discussed the importance of academics, also drew upon his own struggles in his first tow professional seasons to demonstrate how one can channel a negative experience into helping create a positive situation.

Offensive tackle Toby Myles cautioned the kids to carefully choose their friends in their formative years.

"Tiki´s talk about dealing with failure was great," Eastside football coach Donald Davis said. All the messages that all kids need to know nowadays. "This went way beyond football and the classroom. They talked about life issues and that meant a lot."