Harry Carson, former NFL linebacker and Giants captain, brought his special brand of motivation and inspiration to the young people of the Trinitas Residential Treatment Center during a visit in December. Carson and his wife, Maribel, toured the facility before joining the young people for lunch.
Carson emphasized that no matter how much fame he had achieved during his 21-year career on the gridiron, it pales by comparison to the work he now does with numerous charitable organizations and foundations.
“It doesn’t matter where I live, what kind of car I drive, how many Super Bowl rings I may have, how many coaches I may have played under,” he told the group. “The ability to be a positive influence upon my team members and other people I have met along the way is what is priceless to me. He urged the young people to believe in themselves, noting “I’ve walked the same streets that you have and I saw friends of mine make bad choices in their youth. Listen to your own inner voice. You have the world open to you and that inner voice will help you make the right decisions.”
Carson entertained questions ranging from what he was doing now (looking forward to the publication of his book entitled “Captain for Life” and enjoying cooking at home) to how many people he had tackled during his career (about 15 tackles per game) and what it felt like to be tackled (not pleasant, he had to be ready for the collision of bodies during the course of each game.) Carson explained that he never intentionally set out to do bodily harm to any opposing player but as a linebacker his job was to engage opposing players in very physical contact. “As the captain of the team, I believed it was my responsibility to set the tone, to set the standards of sportsmanship that the team should follow. I believed that my primary role was to mentor the entire team.”
He certainly mentored the team of teens at Trinitas.
THANK YOU so much for everything yesterday. The kids really enjoyed the time you spent with them and they talked about it for a while after you left. I watched their faces as they looked at the autographed pictures and they looked so happy. One of the kids asked me if this was really real and if I could pinch him. I thought it was so cute.
He said “I thought famous people were supposed to eat fancy food. He ate wings!”
I couldn’t do anything but laugh because it was so cute and genuine. They loved the fact that Harry shared his experiences and made them feel like he truly cared. Although Harry was the “famous” person yesterday, my girls really took to you and want to see you again also. One of the girls thinks you are so nice and appreciates the fact that you sat and took the time to talk to her. She compared you to her mom and said that you actually listened to what she had to say.
Words cannot describe what you and Harry did for our kids yesterday. They were so touched that the kids that went off to school want to meet both of you also. I can tell that there was a genuine sense of feeling appreciated by all of them. I can’t wait to see you again and I know they can’t wait either. I am so grateful that this email probably isn’t even doing it justice but I just wanted to show you how you affected some of my kids. Thank you guys again and I will definitely be in touch.
Corrine A. Rose, CTRS, MSW
Recreation Therapist
New Point Residential Treatment Center