Athletes bring message of positive thinking, hope to Cumberland County middle-schoolers

You don’t have to be great to get started. You just need to get started to be great.”

Keith Davis, a former NFL linebacker, speaking to Cumberland County students and parents

“It doesn’t matter how hard things get,” said Lucas Simmons, a sixth-grader at South View Middle School. “I’ve got to keep on going and not stop no matter how tough things are.”

Lucas’ sentiment echoes that of hundreds of Cumberland County Schools students and parents who had the chance to hear former NFL player Keith Davis and former college football player Germard Reed during a two-day visit to local middle schools.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the two athletes turned motivational speakers zig-zagged across the district, sharing a message of hope by encouraging students to make good decisions and overcome challenges that keep them from reaching their goals, according to a CCS news release.

CityView's Ben Sessoms reports on Keith Davis' visit to Cumberland County.

On Thursday evening at Lewis Chapel Middle School, the pair spoke to more than 150 people during a session titled “PUSH: Persevere Until Success Happens.” 

“You were not born a winner or a loser, you were born a chooser,” Davis told those assembled in the gymnasium. “You don’t have to be great to get started. You just need to get started to be great.”

Parents were inspired by Davis’ words as well, said the news release.

“I think that Mr. Davis gave us, as parents, some really good information about being involved and engaged in our child’s education and life,” said Luz Martinez, who brought her two sons. “It is important for our kids to know that they can overcome, and I’m glad Cumberland County Schools brought the two gentlemen to speak to us.”

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