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Steven Jackson Makes Big Play at Vashon High School

It’s not everyday that students at Vashon High School receive a visit from a star NFL football player. St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson took time out of his busy schedule to visit a group of students to discuss the importance of good financial management. The event was sponsored by Visa, in cooperation with the NFL and the NFL Players Association. “I am very excited to be here today, to share with you the importance of making good financial decisions,” said Jackson. He encouraged students to be thrifty with their money by saving more. “If you do accumulate quite a bit of money, you don’t always have to buy the big house initially.” The entire football team was chosen by principal Calvin Starks to participate in the one-hour event. “Many of our students are striving to become professional athletes, so it is important for them to see a star player talk to them with poise and common sense,” said Starks.

The Visa program, Practical Money Skills for Life, included a game of “Financial Football,” in which students competed by answering questions related to personal finance. Correct answers moved their teams down the field. “I hope that this game will help young people gain a better appreciation for the value of becoming responsible with money before they graduate from high school,” stated Jackson. Jackson, who is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, attended Oregon State before turning pro in 2004. He finished his rookie season second on the team, third among NFL rookies, with 673 yards on 134 carries with a team-high four rushing touchdowns.