Levon Kirkland – The Gear-Up Program
Times & Democrat (S.C.)
By LEE TANT, T&D Staff Writer
March 10, 2008
Levon Kirkland was told by some people growing up that he wouldn’t do well in life. Like many of the students he spoke to at Edisto High School this week, Kirkland grew up in a small town, where large ambition is often met with an even greater skepticism.
Luckily for Kirkland, he didn’t listen to the skeptics. He actually did much better in life than those same people who failed to realize his potential.
Not only did Kirkland become an All-American linebacker at Clemson University, he transformed the talent he worked so hard to develop into a successful National Football League career.
That’s not bad for someone from the small town of Lamar. Kirkland said the children at Edisto reminded him of his situation growing up in a small town.
“I took an opportunity and made the most out of it. You guys have the opportunity to make the most out of it,” Kirkland told freshman students in the Edisto GEAR-UP program.
The GEAR-UP program was developed by the State Commission on Higher Education to help prepare children for college. It assists students in tutoring, mentoring and obtaining financial aid for college, among other things. There are 282 students in the Edisto GEAR-UP program.
Kirkland said the reason he came to speak to the children at Edisto was he genuinely cares about their future.
“Our future depends on what you do,” he said. Kirkland actually had no idea his future would one day include the NFL. He originally wanted to be a detective.
He finished his stellar NFL career with two Pro Bowl appearances, a
$25 million contract and a great performance for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. He played for the Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles in his 11 years of pro football.
While his Steelers lost Super Bowl XXX to the Dallas Cowboys, Kirkland brags that there is one thing he could never lose.
He went back to Clemson after his stint in the NFL and finished his sociology degree. He is now pursuing his master’s degree and is the minority recruiter for Clemson’s admissions department.
“The money can go, but the one thing no one can take away is my degree,” Kirkland said.
He told the students that while he may have become a multi-millionaire in the NFL, having a college degree makes him more legitimate.
Despite his extensive football knowledge, Kirkland noted, he could not even coach a high school football team without his college degree.
The former All-Pro linebacker established four objectives for the Edisto students: have a belief in yourself no matter what the circumstances, have a vision for the future, have a plan and, most importantly, put in the work.
He told the group of about 20 students that they had the same potential to accomplish great things like he did.
“The question is are you going to bring that potential out?” he asked the students.
Aspiring lawyer and Edisto freshman Ericka Monroe said she was inspired by Kirkland’s words.
“I think it was great. He told us what we need to do for our future,”
Monroe said.
Kirkland emphasized the enormous amount of work he had to put forth just to be successful at the college football level.
He said not much was expected of him even after he received a football scholarship. He was red-shirted his freshman year at Clemson and watched his teammates from the sidelines. Because of his determination, Kirkland became a two time All-American selection before he left Clemson and the 38th overall pick in the NFL draft.
The turnaround for Kirkland came in the ninth grade, Kirkland said, the same grade he was speaking to at Edisto.
If he hadn’t improved his grades as a freshman, he may never have gotten the chance to play pro football, Kirkland said.
He said his dad was a strict disciplinarian and was less than pleased with his low grades at the time. Because of this, Kirkland’s father would not allow him to run track or play basketball. He did allow him to play junior varsity football, but only if Kirkland kept his grades up.
“It taught me that if I wanted to really do something, I had to get my priorities straight,” Kirkland said.
He encouraged the Edisto students to work hard on getting good grades to obtain the grade point average that attracts colleges. Seeking the advice and counsel from those surrounding them is vital as well, he told the students.
“Give it your all. It’s your time right now to make sure you do that,”
Kirkland said. “When I get older, I want to see one of you doing something great.”
