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Central Park
Middle School
February 04 2008
Chicago Bears'
Beekman
Meets with Central Park Kids
Josh (l) and
Charles Beekman enjoy a little chat Friday before the 7th
graders make their way into the auditorium. |
Josh Beekman, a rookie player for the Chicago Bears spoke to
Central Park Middle School 7th graders on Friday,
February 1 about making the most of their middle school years as
they lay the groundwork for their futures.
Beekman, an Amsterdam native who played football at Boston
College where he graduated with honors, was introduced to the
students by his brother Charles who is a turnabout counselor at
the middle school. “I’m going to introduce my baby brother,”
said the elder Beekman, “who is a lot bigger than me.” Beekman
stands at 6'1" and 310 pounds.
“I was very blessed because I was taught a very valuable lesson
by two people, my mom and my dad” said Beekman. “My dad taught
me about football,” he said. “My mom made me do academics.”
Beekman shared stories of his experiences growing up and how his
mother pushed him to do well in school. “Oh I got spanked,” he
said. The student audience responded with laughter.
Beekman said he never imagined he would have played football at
Boston College, graduated with honors, and played in the NFL.
Beekman became Boston College’s first player to receive AP
first-team All-America honors in five years after his senior
season. He was also named Atlantic Coast Conference’s most
valuable blocker during his senior year. Beekman was an NFL 4th
round draft pick in 2007.
He told the students that his experiences in school and the
support of his parents helped him become the person he is. “You
have many educational opportunities and resources right here in
your school,” said Beekman. “You have sports, after school
programs, science and technology and so much more,” he added.
“You have teachers who care.”
“I had a learning disability,” said Beekman who told the
students he had to go to a special speech class when he was in
school.
 He
told the group that it all clicked for him when it was time to
go to college. “It was like a light bulb went off in my head,”
said Beekman. “Going to college was the most positive thing I
could have done.”
Beekman said he is fortunate because he has people in his life
who have been brutally honest with him. He shared stories
about when he was younger and thought he was an “all star
basketball player.” He said his father told him that he was not
a very good basketball player. Beekman said he responded, “Yeah
I am. I’m real good dad.” He said, “okay he was right. I
wasn’t very good.” But, he said his dad did encourage him to
play football. Both of his parents supported him.
“You are all in a great spot right now,” Beekman said to the 7th
graders. “You have great opportunities right now."
He told the group that they are forming the base for life.
“Your habits are right now.”
“You need a game plan and you need to understand your game
plan,” he said. “Build your foundation now and take advantage
of all the opportunities that you can.” He continued by
telling the group that right now they all have the best of
everything. “You have opportunities and are being offered a
well-balanced education.”
Beekman offered the students an incentive to do well in the
third quarter. All 7th graders who do not receive
any disciplines and finish the quarter with a B or better
average will be put in a raffle for a signed autograph picture
of the NFL player. Ten student names will be drawn to receive a
color autographed photo.
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