Former NFL player talks to Edison Middle School students

Take a former NFL football player, put him on front of a middle school audience, and watch the reactions as he speaks about healthy food habits and lifestyle.

James McKnight, who played for the Seattle Seahawks, the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins, paid a visit to students at Edison Middle School.

Bernard Cottle who works at Channel 2 organized the event as a way to reach youths in the community and bring awareness to these kids on health issues. McKnight explained that health does not stop at food habits, but is also part spirit and mind. He emphasized the importance of eating breakfast, as a way to concentrate in school, to some of the students half asleep in the front row of the auditorium.

Students started laughing as he pointed out examples of bad health habits.  But there were serious stories of youth violence just because of morning hunger or students be picked on by the teachers for falling asleep in class.

He gave examples of his own childhood which grabbed the students interest even more as they saw began to relate to him. He was just not some adult trying to preach about something he didn't understand. His career depended on a healthy body, spirit and mind, and he made it clear to the students that every dream comes with work.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions afterwards, and overall they seemed happy to have a break from the daily school routine.

You can watch it all here on uVu.