The definition of the word character is the combination of qualities that distinguish one person from another.

“Character” is also one of the most commonly used terms in Coach Todd Graham’s vocabulary. It’s the cornerstone and building block of the type of student-athletes that he wants to represent and build the future of ASU Football. Along those lines, I experienced something this week that reinforced my pride as an Arizona State Sun Devil.

Will Sutton

With the help of Marcus Castro-Walker, the Academic Coach for ASU Football, DieHardDevil arranged an event to bring five Sun Devil players to visit with students at Loma Linda Elementary School in Phoenix. Walker, a member of Jean Boyd’s team, explained that requests like this aren’t something that the student-athletes are required to do.

Considering each player’s commitment to early morning sessions in the weight room, a course-load that includes team study groups, additional time in the film room and some semblance of a social life, anyone can see why additional requests can be overwhelming. Walker made it a point that in the culture of this program, players give their time because they choose to.

Taylor Kelly signs autographs

The Sun Devils who stepped up & proved it Wednesday morning were Will Sutton, DJ Foster, Taylor Kelly, Alden Darby and Rashad Wadood.

Once the players arrived at the school, it was clear that the values that Graham emphasizes have translated to his team. The players were gentlemen, patient and accommodating to the students. They introduced themselves in each classroom and connected to the kids. Each took time to read books to the students, and afterwards opened things up for the children to talk and ask questions. If students weren’t involved with the discussion, the players would encourage them with ideas to get them engaged.

During the visit, DJ Foster had a few extra minutes between classrooms. So he took a group of 6^th graders out to the playground to throw them passes. To young kids, Arizona State football players are like celebrities, and you could see how it affected them.

A little later, I watched Alden Darby and Rashad Wadood interacting with some students by jumping into a game of foursquare. Taylor Kelly took extra time with a special needs student, pushing him around campus in his wheelchair.

In each classroom, players signed autographs for every student that asked, and there were hundreds. The cool thing to see was how the players had smiles on their faces the entire morning and genuinely enjoyed what they were doing. Loma Linda Principal Dr. Stephanie DeMar added, “The impact of hearing how important education is from the players, along with all their hard work and perseverance, compliments the work we are doing at our school of encouraging and inspiring higher education for our students.”

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