NY Jets rookie promotes character development at S.T.E.M.

EAST ORANGE, NJ — Darron Lee, the New York Jets first-round draft pick rookie linebacker from Ohio State University and former Jets fullback Tony Richardson came to S.T.E.M. Academy in East Orange on Tuesday, Oct. 4, to help the United Way of Essex and West Hudson County, Verizon and the NFL kickoff their new Character Playbook interactive computer program at an assembly for hundreds of city students.

According to Catherine Wilson, the president and CEO of United Way of Essex and West Hudson, building stronger ties to East Orange is a good thing, and it’s what the Character Playbook is all about.

“Today, we are launching Character Playbook in partnership with the N.Y Jets, NFL and United Way Worldwide,” said Wilson on Tuesday, Oct. 4. “It’s an online character-education tool, where students can log into their classroom and go through a series of lessons (built) around making healthy choices, having healthy relationships and making sure they are growing up in a way that provides positive youth development. And it’s also important because they’re at a critical age where they’re learning the skills they need to become 21st-century citizens, so this brings 21st-century technology to that process.

“It’s an interactive online content where they go through a series of lessons online that are interactive. There’s cartoons, tests and ways for them to practice making healthy choices. So, as they’re going through the module, if maybe they pick a choice that isn’t as healthy, they get redirected and then they have an explanation as to why a different choice may have been better.”

Richardson said he was lucky to grow up in a household where he learned character lessons.

“My dad being a military man, growing up as a kid, there was no nonsense in the household, so I look back on my life and, if it wasn’t for my parents and the way they taught me to treat other people, how to carry yourself with respect, how to respect others, I probably wouldn’t be standing here in front of you today. So it’s important,” Richardson said.

A retired player, Richardson said he likes to come out to schools and interact with children and students as a way of giving back to the community, but he said his appearance was nothing compared to the sacrifice Lee was making.

“Today is his off day; he’s probably a little sore. I’m not, so for him to take time out of his schedule and to come out and spend time with the kids, this is what it’s all about,” said Richardson on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

“I think it’s important because, obviously, this is a young man and some of these kids, they’re not too far, as far as the age gap, so they can see … if they work hard, if they treat themselves with respect, they treat other people with respect, they might not be a first-round draft choice in the NFL, but they can be a first-round draft choice in life, and I think that’s more important than anything else. This is why we’re here today and it’s so important to have a young man who’s in the community, who’s still learning his way on the football field, but is doing the right things, both on the field and off the field, and that’s what these young people need to see.”

Lee agreed, saying character is very important and has been one of the keys to his success, both on and off the football field. And that’s why, Lee said, he is glad to be able to help promote a character-building tool such as the Character Playbook.

“Character Playbook launched at this past year’s draft in Chicago,” said Lee on Tuesday, Oct. 4. “We’re here to talk to the kids about character and what to do and the do’s and don’ts and a little bit about my experiences and why I’m here today. Definitely giving back to just help pave the way for the future. And definitely, if you’re a good person and you go about your business in the right way, you definitely should pass that on to the next generation, so they can sprout into good people and people who do the right thing and people who work out.”

Gloria Watson, the interim superintendent of East Orange public schools, said this was a great message for students of all ages in the district to hear. The district has implemented the Character Playbook interactive computer program at a number of schools, including S.T.E.M. Academy.

“We’re having Character Playbook initiated and implemented, so we’re very excited about that, because, as you very well know, character play is so important. The way things are going today, we just have to develop our students’ character. We cannot leave it alone. We must focus on it and ensure that they know what good choices are,” said Watson on Tuesday, Oct. 4. “That’s what the Character Playbook is all about. We’re going to implement it in all our schools in grades seven through nine and it’s already begun. But today is our kickoff, so we’re excited about joining up with United Way and just becoming a part of this whole experience.”

Recreation Department Director Osner Charles said he’s also implementing the Character Playbook in the afterschool program the city runs from the Fellowship Civic Center Center in Fellowship Circle.

“Today is a great day for the city of East Orange, the school district of East Orange and today is just a great day, all in all, for our children of our great the city of East Orange,” said Charles on Tuesday, Oct. 4. “It’s a great day because this strengthens our partnership with the United Way, the NFL, so we’re bringing two humongous partners to the city of East Orange, which is basically furthering the mayor’s vision of East Orange as a destination city.”

  Darron Lee, Gloria Watson, NY Jets, S.T.E.M. Academy, Tony Richardson, United Way