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American Football legend Marcus Allen inspires the next generation

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Laureus Academy Member and American Football legend Marcus Allen taught youth participants from the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach (BGCLB) in California how to properly throw a football at an event at Mercedes-Benz USA’s Western Region (MBUSA).  During the Day of Sport, the MBUSA team and forty young people got the chance to play sports in five different stations, with Allen leading the football station and the other stations led by coaches from the BGCLB.
At this day of sport and physical activity Allen listed out his many accolades to the crowd during his introduction.  Allen is considered one of the greatest American football players of all time. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2003 was elected a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy in January 2007. Allen has close ties to the state of California; he played 11 NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1981 while at USC and NFL Rookie of the Year in 1982. His Coach Robinson praised him as “the greatest player I ever saw.” One young participant gasped and in disbelief said kiddingly, “you’re lying” when they were in absolute shock by his achievement.
Allen shares a close connection with Boys and Girls Club because he participated in their program when he was a kid.
Closing the event, the youth participants asked Allen questions about his life and career.  One girl raised her hand and said her brother really likes to play football and that he was very good.  Her brother then said his goal is to make it into the NFL and be a football player.  “You need to work really hard but remember that football is what you do and not who you are,” responded Allen.
Allen hopes to inspire the kids in the Long Beach area to continue staying active and participating in physical activity for a healthy lifestyle.
BGCLB sets youth on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.  Laureus USA is proud to fund this tremendous program.

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