Roberto Garza's Journey To Success

Roberto Garza Karmisese Mara once said, “The family teaches us about the importance of knowledge, education, hard work, and effort. It teaches us about enjoying ourselves, having fun, keeping it fit and healthy.” Sometimes we forget that our efforts and success begin with our relationships with our families. Roberto Garza, however, does not forget this importance, as he is the physical equivalent of such a striking quotation because he reminds not only himself but also others everywhere that success begins with family, and he inspires young minds throughout numerous communities to live healthy lives both physically and mentally. Roberto Garza was born and raised in a Spanish speaking household in Rio Hondo, Texas, and was a first generation …show more content…
He feels that a big part of who he is today is because of his parent’s privation and the sacrifices they made for their family. He admires all his parents did for him and siblings and wants to do the same for his family. Garza says “I can’t help but thank my parents for everything every time I see them. There is nothing like being an image of my parents and making sacrifices to see your own kids, and others succeed.” (Garza) Garza joined the already 99,000 members of the education based program, United Way TEAM NFL, in an effort to lower the high school dropout rate. (Danno) Garza teamed with the organization to “make a difference” for those that are younger than him by humbly sharing past experiences to relate to the students, and remind them that “just because [he] was an NFL Player, [he] was certainly in these student’s shoes once”. He also joined United Way because he feels that kids do not always have parents that are willing to listen to them and believes, “It’s going to take someone else to step into their lives and take the time.” (Danno) He knows he did not make it all this way alone and he needed help from many people. Garza wants children to have the amazing feeling of making not only their parents proud, but others around them that have assisted them along the way. He stresses to the kids that family is so precious and everlasting and that …show more content…
He stresses that exercise and eating healthy makes us enhanced all-around students, thus allowing us to have the right work ethic to achieve our goals and more. Garza has also joined a coalition known as NFL Play 60. NFL Play 60 is designed to tackle childhood obesity by getting kids active through in-school, afterschool and team-based programs. He began by taking part in the launch of the “Fuel Greatness” campaign by visiting B.J. Ward Elementary and Abbott Middle School in Waukegan, Illinois. It is a program in operation with the “Midwest Dairy Council” and “Fuel Up to Play 60”. (Mayer) Garza eats breakfast with students and talks to the entire student bodies about the importance of fueling up with a healthy breakfast every morning. Garza, along with NFL Play 60, encourages kids to be healthy by eating right and going out to exercise at least sixty minutes a day. When interviewed by NFL Rush, Garza was asked “You’re an NFL star at the top of your game, why do you care if kids eat right? Why is Play 60 important to you? Do you have a personal connection?” Garza responded saying “I do. My Grandfather has diabetes. It’s a terrible disease that he fights every day. With diabetes, you have to closely monitor everything you eat- it’s a really controlled diet. You have to understand the nutrition aspect. I know if there was a little change in his [my grandfather’s] lifestyle when