Is it more challenging to exercise or maintain a good diet?
Who is the best player in the NFL?
What is your favorite pre-game meal?
Students in Mildred E. Strang Middle School got the answers to these questions and many more on Tuesday, Oct. 4, when New York Giants rookie wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson made a virtual visit to their classrooms. (Dieting, Josh Allen, and spaghetti, by the way.)
The 30-minute question and answer session was part of the American Heart Association and the NFL’s Play 60 program, which encourages kids to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.
The eager students asked many questions to Robinson, who stressed the importance of staying active, sticking to a good diet, taking care of yourself mentally, getting plenty of sleep, hydrating, being a good sport, and not succumbing to peer pressure.
The students were also surprised to learn that professional football players spend more time studying than practicing. Sometimes, they even get homework and get quizzed!
“You’ve got to make sure you know your plays,” the wide receiver told the students.
The Giants selected Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. He played college football at Kentucky and Nebraska. Before that, he was a multi-sport student-athlete at his high school, where he once gained nearly 600 yards and scored 7 touchdowns in a single game!
The 21-year-old football player said the keys to his success were developing a successful routine, working hard, and staying humble.
“At the end of the day, you want to treat people how you want to be treated,” Robinson said to the students. “When you’re competing, you want to win. But there are things that are bigger than that.”
The students also wanted to know what jersey number Robinson wears (17), if he’s ever been injured (yes), how he improves his stamina (a lot of running), when he knew he wanted to become a pro athlete (5 years old), and if he plays the video game “Madden NFL 2023 (yes).
