Former pro football player Roman Gabriel III talked to hundreds of students in Craven County Thursday about the potential that awaits those who pursue their dreams.
Gabriel, a North Carolina native, played for the University of New Mexico while pursuing a degree, and then proceeded to play for the Oakland Raiders and the U.S. Football League. After his football days, Gabriel became the founder and president of Sold Out School Alcohol Abstinence Education Program, which started in N.C. public schools four years ago.
As founder of Sold Out Youth Ministries, Gabriel is passionate about speaking to youth about the dangers of alcohol and about the potential that awaits those who actively pursue their goals.
“Our goal is to use kids to be a catalyst for change,” he said. “Yes, we want students to find out what their dreams and goals are, but we also teach that they must make a plan to reach those goals.
Reaching goals involves being alcohol and drug abstinent, Gabriel said. That’s why he encourages youth to take a four-part pledge, in which they promise to themselves not to partake in either.
“We also work with law enforcement to find out what we can do to help them on their end,” he said. “And, what we’re finding that is with this program, incidents in the schools are decreasing.”
The program encourages students to believe in themselves, treat others the way they wish to be treated and establish successful habits.
Gabriel spoke about the value of setting goals — both for the long term and short term — and working on the steps necessary to achieve those goals.
“If you truly want to succeed, it’s not about the short-term gain. You have to sacrifice having fun and hanging out with your friends and playing video games,” Gabriel said. “It’s about perseverance, and it’s about helping other people by being the best that you can in the moment you’re given.
Last year, the N.C. Sold Out School Program influenced more than 50,000 students, hundreds of teachers and coaches, and countless parents through the ongoing schools community program. According to Sold Out, the program has seen an average 65 percent of middle school students to take a public alcohol abstinence pledge to be accountable to their teachers, coaches, parents and fellow students.
“We are so excited to be approved to work with Roman Gabriel and Sold Out,” said Debbie L. Hodges, director of Student Support Services for Craven County Schools. “I have talked to other counties and they seem to love this program. The follow-up is the best part. Students can continue to have access to resources 24/7 with the website. I also like that the online pledge is more of a personal commitment and allows for follow-up with the student to encourage and support them along the way. So many programs have an assembly, get students to pledge and then it’s over and forgotten. This is different.”
Gabriel will be visiting other Craven County Schools to spread the message, which is funded through the Coastal Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention and Carolina East Foundation.