SAN DIEGO – Children at Cubberley Elementary School were treated to an extra long recess Monday shooting hoops with wide receiver 
“A few years ago we only had one basketball court and there were so many kids trying to play on the one court,” Principal Rosemary Cruz said. “Our physical education teacher Sue Welker saw a need to get more kids involved by adding another court, but with high costs and budget cuts, we didn’t have enough money to get another one. We needed help, which thanks to the Chargers we got. We’re really lucky to have the extra court now so all of the kids get a chance to play.”
Cubberley Elementary was one of nine schools awarded a grant from the Chargers Champions program in 2008, which also included a $75,000 grant to Kearney Mesa High School for a weight room and a $21,000 grant to Greg Rogers Elementary School for a track for disabled students.
Chargers Champions, a program of the Chargers Community Foundation, makes a strong commitment to improving physical fitness in San Diego County schools by providing grants for new facilities and equipment. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the Spanos family has donated more than $4 million to San Diego’s schools and students through Chargers Champions.
“I would like to thank the Spanos family and the Chargers Foundation for realizing the importance of physical fitness in our schools,” said Welker, who wrote the grant request on behalf of the school. “The extra court is wonderful because you can have more kids participate during P.E. classes, recess, after school and even host tournaments where we can invite other schools here. “
Before making jump shots with the kids, Jackson delivered a message about the value of fitness and nutrition.
“It’s very important for you guys to take advantage of these outdoor resources you have,” he said. “Basketball was definitely one of my favorite sports. I also played soccer, baseball, football, kickball and dodge ball. Whatever sport it is, it’s really important for you to get outside, be active and be healthy.”
Jackson said proper nutrition allows him to stay healthy and maximize his talent as an NFL receiver. He encouraged the kids to eat the right things and stay away from fast food like fries or chicken nuggets.
“Your parents are always going to tell you to eat well like vegetables, some of those things that we think that don’t taste that good, but they’re very important for your body. It’s for you to grow up big and strong so you can have the energy you need to come out here and play with your friends,” Jackson said.
Jackson, a Colorado Springs native, once thought he’d play basketball professionally but joked that his dream ended when the Denver Nuggets drafted some guy by the name of Carmelo Anthony. He also emphasized the value of school.
“School was very important to me. All the way through high school I got straight A’s,” he said. “It was very important for me to study first and as much as I love to play sports, I had to hit my books and do my studying, do my homework, be ready for my tests and listen to my teachers. I did all of the things I needed to do that allowed me to do other things like sports and be successful.”
Jackson drove the point home with one final message to the kids.
“Just remember: continue to be active, continue to have fun, listen to your teachers, always do your homework first and then you can go outside and have fun and play.”
