As student-athletes at Ohio State University, Mike Vrabel and his fellow Buckeyes Ryan Miller and Luke Fickell were involved in numerous community activities. The trio continued their support for the Columbus community after graduation, when they founded the 2nd & 7 Foundation in 1998 to promote literacy in central Ohio.
“We were just trying to find something that was a little unique to help out kids with their education,” said Vrabel, now a linebacker for the New England Patriots. “Our research showed the second grade as being the most effective age to have an impact [on literacy].”
Vrabel not only uses his recognition as an NFL player to help the foundation’s beneficiaries, but he encourages local celebrities--student-athletes from Ohio State--to help promote the literacy message. Through 2nd & 7 Foundation’s Tackle Illiteracy program these O.S.U. students team up to visit second grade classes each week during the school year. The student-athletes read to the second graders, discuss the importance of reading and give them books to take home and read for fun.
To mark the 10th anniversary of 2nd & 7, the founders published a children’s book-- The Hog Mollies and the Pickle Pie Party. The foundation will distribute 50,000 copies during the upcoming school year. The four main characters in the story teach the value of leadership through cooperation and offer hope to disadvantaged students.
Vrabel hopes this book will not be the foundation’s last. In fact, the trio would like to publish a new book every year featuring the Hog Mollies. “We will be going on different adventures in each book to teach children the importance of a different value,” Vrabel said.
In addition to 2nd & 7’s efforts to raise literacy rates in the community, the foundation hosts the annual FUNdamental Football Camp, where kids ages 8 to 14 spend three days practicing drills, participating in contests and listening to speakers. The campers simultaneously learn the basic physical fundamentals of football while picking up important lessons in teamwork, goal-setting, positive attitude and commitment.
Though the proceeds from the camp are currently being used to buy books for local schools, the 2nd & 7 Foundation hopes to eventually build an interactive learning center, complete with books, webcasts and educational video games, to help create excitement about reading.
Vrabel understands that an NFL player’s hectic schedule does not always allow for him to give back to the community as much as he might like. But with Ohio State’s help, he has had a positive experience building his foundation and hopes 2nd & 7 will inspire other athletes to give back as well.
“My goal would be to get more players and student-athletes to give back,” Vrabel said. “It is so easy to do, especially with the help of your former college.”
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.secondandseven.com.