Antrel Rolle tells Guttenberg kids: Put education first

As Queen’s “We Are the Champions” blared over the sound system, 200 cheering seventh- and eighth-graders welcomed New York Giants starting safety Antrel Rolle to the gymnasium at the Anna L. Klein School in Guttenberg.

“In my household, education came first I wasn’t allowed to get C’s on my report card,” said Rolle, whose Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 21-17, in the Super Bowl.

“Football is a great, outstanding thing, but it’s just a stepping stone,” he told the students, stressing that nothing beats receiving a good education.
Rolle came to the school on an invitation by his friend, Guttenberg Police Officer Chad Smith. The 29-year-old Rolle, who also reached the Super Bowl with the Arizona Cardinals two years ago, did not hesitate in saying yes.

“I have a huge love and passion for the kids,” Rolle told The Jersey Journal.

“My mother was a guidance counselor for 32 years, while my father and two brothers are police officers in Miami (Fla.), so I know what giving back to the community is about.”

The students in attendance seemed to appreciate what Rolle, who owns a home off River Road in North Bergen, had to say, taking home the positive message he was trying to send.

“The message I took home is that education is big, something to take very seriously,” said Gilberto Cue, an eighth-grader who plays football and basketball.

“Motivation is the most important thing for everything you do,” is the message Simon Correa, also an eighth-grader, took home from the event.
Rolle, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, took questions from the kids.

“I knew from a young age I could do anything I set my mind to,” Rolle said when asked how he became a professional athlete. “Throughout my life, I saw plenty of more athletically gifted players than me, but they didn’t have my heart and determination.”

As far as the NFL goes, Rolle said winning Super Bowl XLVI was “a dream come true” and “the best feeling yet.”

Anna L. Klein vice principal Joe Forenza introduced Rolle to the students, while Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff presented Rolle with a plaque thanking him for his service to the community, as well as a Key to the Town.

“This is an honor, it’s great for the kids,” Drasheff said. “We’re stressing sports/fitness for our young people, but obviously we want to stress the importance of scholastics as well.”

Rolle stayed after his talk to sign autographs and have pictures taken with students, faculty and police officers.


(nj.com)