October 10, 2016
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
Philadelphia Eagles player, Jordan Matthews works with Brianna Long, an 8th grader at William Dick Public School during the launch event of the online program, 'Character Playbook', Monday, Oct. 10, 2016.
Students at William Dick Public School in Strawberry Mansion were treated to a visit Monday from Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews and safety Rodney McLeod for the launch of the new "Character Playbook" online educational program for middle school students.
The program is aimed at promoting healthy relationships, youth character development and socio-emotional learning — all topics that, Zack Price, director of marketing for EverFi, said public school students don't typically have enough resources to study.
"These are critical skills that students and people in these neighborhoods aren't learning," said Price. "There's not enough resources out there."
EverFi, a Washington D.C.—based education technology company, has developed the program as a way to help children, in grades seventh through ninth, learn to navigate social interactions, help develop character and create healthy relationships.
"Kids spend so much of time on their cell phones. They don't pay attention to body language and they don't pick up on social cues," said Price. "[Character Playbook] goes through the steps of making a smart decision... It's something that maybe there's not a dedicated class on."
Originally announced back in April, during the NFL Draft in Chicago, "Character Playbook" is a three-hour course, broken into six modules that allow a teacher to present it to students in separate, shorter classes that uses real world situations, including bystander interactions and positive relationship examples, as ways to teach students to nurture healthy relationships and build character.
And, according to Price, the program is free to schools that want it.
Philadelphia Eagles players, Jordan Matthews, left and Rodney McLeod speak to students at William Dick Public School during the launch event of the online program, 'Character Playbook', Monday, Oct. 10, 2016.
Already, Price said, the program has been brought to seven schools in the Philadelphia region, with plans to expand to 20 schools. Nationwide, Character Playbook is set to be taught in 20 schools in or around every city that hosts an NFL team.
Matthews and McLeod told the students that having a strong character and sense of right and wrong will serve them well as they grow.
"Good character is a big thing, so make sure you're promoting it," said Matthews, to an auditorium full of young Eagles fans. "It is essentially who you really are."
"Character is who you are every day," agreed McLeod.
During Monday's event, both players discussed the importance of creating and maintaining healthy relationships. McLeod especially pointed to instances where students might act — or meet people who act — like they are your friend, only to try and get something for themselves.
These sort of selfish relationships, the Eagles safety said, were fake, because a real friendship and a real relationship can be had without someone always expecting something in return.
"Strong relationships can carry you a long way," said McLeod. "Trust is everything."
Matthews advised students to look beyond a person's veneer to find the real person within.
Sometimes, even people in his own life, aren't the people they pretend to be. He said that he's known others who are nothing but nice to him, because he's a professional football player.
But those same people, he said, might not treat a cafeteria worker with the same respect.
Students of William Dick Public School in Philadelphia get excited before the entrance of Philadelphia Eagles players Jordan Matthews and Rodney McLeod, Monday, Oct. 10, 2016.
"Be sure to treat everyone with dignity and respect," said Matthews. "We are all human beings. I'm a football player, but after I'm done playing in the future, I'll still be a human being."
The players also warned students about using social media too hastily — "Think before you hit that send button," said McLeod — and explained that communication can help students work through tricky social situations.
Matthews said that he likes to read, an activity that has helped his communication skills immensely.
"The best way to learn to communicate is to read more," he said. "I'd encourage you guys all to read."
