Heyward-Bey Begins 'Dare To Dream' Initiative
8/29/2010 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 29, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Former Terp standout and current Oakland Raider Darrius Heyward-Bey has announced his "Dare to Dream" initiative which will allow 30 local students admittance to Maryland home football games this season.
The initiative will give middle school students in the Baltimore/D.C. Metro area an opportunity to watch the Terps from section 28 of Capital One Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. Students will be selected based on criteria including community involvement and service.
"I wanted to give kids the opportunity to come to the University of Maryland campus," said Heyward-Bey, who grew up in neighboring Silver Spring, Md. "Watching this new initiative take shape is incredible and part of the plan is to meet with the kids in the offseason to talk to them about the importance of hard work, education, and being involved with the community they live in."
This is part of the Maryland Athletics "Pay it Forward" initiative that was launched in the spring of 2010. The "Pay It Forward" program encourages former Maryland student-athletes to invest in their team, the Terrapin Club, and the athletics department as a whole to pay forward support to the next generation of athletes.
"The University of Maryland and its football program gave me the opportunity to go to college and play football," Heyward-Bey said. "Professional football now has given me the chance to make a difference in the community I grew up in. I loved my time here and this is one way I can impact the community that has helped make me the person I am today."
In addition to free tickets, students will also get food vouchers for concessions during the game.
