Sons of Football Legends See Beauty in Youth Program
6/30/2017 1:14:00 PM | Football, Features
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The words of Jonas Salk apply to the benefits Jon Runyan, Tyrone Wheatley and other Wolverines football players are realizing as mentors at the Youth Impact Program being held at Michigan Stadium.
"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more," said Salk, whose road to the ground-breaking polio vaccine began while he was a medical student and researcher in the 1950s at the University of Michigan under epidemiology department chair Thomas Francis Jr.
Runyan and Wheatley, both rising juniors and sons of Wolverines football legends, enjoyed working at the two week-long camp last year so much that they're again among the approximately 20 players volunteering daily to coach and teach about 100 disadvantaged or at-risk boys from Detroit, ages 10 to 14.
"I developed a special bond with the kids last year -- especially Dante Moore -- who is such a great kid," said Runyan, an offensive lineman. "I was looking for the same experience I had last year in growing and connecting with even more kids this year. It's such a great feeling to help these kids along the way and help them gain tools that can help them in life and college."
Wheatley, a tight end, said, "It's great giving back to the community, and I just want to give back and help out, and do whatever I can. It was fun last year and I wanted to be here again."
Riki Ellison, a retired NFL player who won three Super Bowls while playing for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, started the Youth Impact Program in 2005 at his alma mater, Southern California. He's excited about what's happened in Ann Arbor since Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh embraced his "vision" three years ago.
"The program has exceeded my initial vision," Ellison said Wednesday (June 28) at Michigan Stadium. "And this Michigan program, of all my programs, has been stellar. Jim Harbaugh understands what this means for the City of Detroit, and for his team and this university. This school has been the one that has really propelled this vision to exceed my expectations. The social responsibility of giving back to those that are going to be our leaders and shapers of our future communities will affect everybody in Detroit.
"We're trying to ignite young hearts and minds for passion for study from what they've seen and experienced here. We're going to light the fire so strongly that it'll never be put out. But one of the best things for me is seeing that these players are realizing something different in giving back. They've fallen in love and have passion to give. They get rewarded by these young kids complimenting and looking up to them."
Ellison has initiated the program in cooperation with approximately two dozen college football programs, and has five teams nationwide participating this summer. But he sees something particularly special occurring with the Wolverines' deep commitment.
"These Michigan players have to lead these kids," said Ellison. "So, it also has an effect on their team and in their role for this team to win. I think this camp is one of the best things that happened to Jabrill Peppers in his development. It's exciting to see all these players volunteering, and I believe it's going to help Michigan win a national championship.
"They get different values and skill sets here that can't be taught in the classroom. This is a real-life situation."
The Wolverines combine with volunteers from the U.S. Marines, Detroit teachers and Michigan staffers and alumni to provide an education with a powerful message that includes academic and life skills classes. They are taught at the Jack Roth Stadium Club, football practices and games are in the Big House, and the boys are bussed daily back and forth from Detroit.
Peppers, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season who became a first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns, participated in the first Youth Impact Program at Michigan in 2015 and bonded with several campers. He went so far as to share the story of how the mean streets claimed his beloved brother, Don Curtis, and how he escaped the traps around every corner where he grew up in the urban web of New Jersey just across the water from New York City.
Runyan and Wheatley also shared messages with the boys.
"I tell these guys to take advantage of their opportunities," said Wheatley. "I tell them, 'You're here and this is free. You get to learn, and get better as a football player. You are in front of people who might remember you one day when you are looking for a job. You never know what's going to happen with the rest of your life. The guys running this program might be coaching someday, and you're going to be in high school when I graduate college.
"Who knows what I might be doing next? I might be a coach at Wayne State or Eastern Michigan and you might be a prospect. My eyes are always watching, and so you should always strive to be the best person you can be.' "
Runyan added, "I tell them, 'Sit in the front of your class, always pay attention and keep your eyes on the person speaking.' I tell them to work their hardest, do the best they can, and emphasize that if they want to play college football, they can play college football. There are thousands of colleges and lots of options."
The boys connect, and behaviors and knowledge often improve on a daily basis.
"These kids are looking to replicate the actions of these Michigan players," said Ellison, whose daughter, Wesley, a former Michigan athletic department employee and varsity water polo player, was the director of the initial Wolverines camp.
"Our inner cities have lost respect for authority, and the youth have lost that respect. That's why this is so powerful. We're able to bring respect to an institution that doesn't seem to be in their lives, while also bringing respect for authority figures. There is a lack of trust from trust that's been broken. So, we're trying to create trust. This is a great institution and inner-city connection here, and most of these kids have never been on our campus here. So, we're hoping that that love of the University of Michigan will create a positive brand that's real for them.
"What I told the kids this morning is, 'This is your dream. I want you to dream big. We're surrounding you with dream-makers, and this University is a dream-maker.' "
Dante Moore, one of the older boys with whom Runyan has developed a special bond, is taking giant strides toward the dream.
"I follow Dante now on Instagram," said Runyan. "He's a really special kid. You can see that he's a leader, and he's a quarterback. He's the first one in every drill and listening closely. He's policing his own team, telling them what to do, and that's really helpful for me as a coach."
Wheatley said, "There are a couple kids I've bonded with and familiar faces from last year. They ask, 'Coach, am I on your team again?' So, that's nice."
His face lit up while recalling that moment.
The Wolverines are reaping those rewards for their jobs well done, and gladly embracing the opportunity to do even more.
(Note: Salk eventually made his polio prevention breakthrough while at the University of Pittsburgh, but the 1955 announcement on the successful vaccine that has saved countless lives was made on the Michigan campus at the Rackham Auditorium.)
