NFL's Ronald Curry encourages students via character program

HAMPTON - Sure, Ronald Curry remembers the hardware that he collected as a student helping the Hampton High School Crabbers win three state football championships and for starring as point guard for the Crabbers and the Boo Williams Summer League basketball teams.

But Curry, a high school All-American in both sports, has equally fond memories of being rewarded for making good grades and behaving in the classroom.

A network of adults in and around his Shell Road community provided Curry and his friends "$20 for A's, $15 for B's and nothing for C's," he remembered.

Curry, now a wide receiver for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders, also remembers that the money often was sorely needed.

Those memories are the roots of the Ronald Curry Character Kids, which recently mailed letters to its first full class of recipients.

The program honors outstanding citizenship by one student in each of Hampton's public schools.

"I wanted to reward kids for doing well in school, showing character on and off the field, and having respect for elders," said Curry, who also played football and basketball at North Carolina.

"I wanted to reward them for doing something positive and, in the end, get something that you want in return. ... It was something that helped me out as a student athlete and as a student, period: just getting a pat on the back," he said.

Winners received a $50 Wal-Mart gift certificate and a letter from Ronald Curry Character Kids, explaining that "this recognition was bestowed on those students who either demonstrated exemplary behavior or significant improvement with their behavior."

Last year's recipients received autographed Raiders football jerseys from Curry. But he thinks that the gift certificates might be of more practical value.

Ron Holloman, coordinator of Curry Character Kids who helped think up the program, said it encouraged recipients and others "to continue demonstrating exemplary behavior next school year."

Holloman, principal at Cary Elementary School, noted that the alternative schools were also included because the program also rewarded significant progress.

He said one of the goals was to reward students who often went unnoticed.

"They are just good kids," Holloman said. "Being a principal, I get to see those kids in the middle who often don't receive recognition. Going to school is much different than it was even four or five years ago. Schools need to be creative to develop positive peer pressure that will offset that negative peer pressure from gangs."

Curry Character Kids is one of several efforts in the past two years by Curry a€" now entering his seventh NFL season a€" to give back to the community.

Curry has also sponsored a comedy show, concert and football camps.

Last winter, he sponsored the inaugural Ronald Curry Christmas Classic basketball tournament, which drew thousands to the Hampton University Convocation Center. He also donated $20,000 each last year to two local charities.

In 2004, Curry was named the No. 1 athlete in a special report, "100 Greatest High School Athletes in Daily Press History."

Curry and Holloman hope that Curry Character Kids can be a national model followed by players around the NFL in their home school districts.

The program, which rewarded 15 students when it was started last year, has been recognized by the NFL office of community relations.

"We are always pleased to see our players reach out to their communities, and we applaud Ronald for his Curry Character Kids program," said David Krichavsky, NFL director of community relations. "Our players make a difference on a daily basis through their charitable work, and players like Ronald exemplify the importance of community service to the NFL and its players."