Levar Fisher, former NFL player, talks to middle school students

On Nov. 16, Levar Fisher, a former NFL player with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals and now a motivational speaker, addressed students at Beacon and Mariner middle schools.

Fisher, also a former player at North Carolina State, talked to the kids about dreaming big, saying “If you dream big enough, the facts don’t count.” The message was that students can overcome difficulties surrounding their lives and achieve their dreams.

Fisher’s career was cut short by a catastrophic, career-ending knee injury. He told the kids he needed a new mission for his life.

“I needed to formulate a new plan for my life. I remember my teachers and coaches telling me to choose something in life I was good at and make a career out of it. I was always good at running my mouth.”

Fisher came across as a good guy and a real person, and an audience of school kids had no trouble listening to him as he talked about making good decisions and being strong. The kids had fun. Many laughed at some of his stories and a few cried after others.