Learn About The Program

Read the details of the programs offered for grades K-12 and youth groups, including Girl Scouts
Click Here

See the Testimonials

Read testimonials from people who have seen the program or watch video interviews with participants
Click Here

Sign Up for the Newsletter

Sign up for the newsletter (on real paper) that goes out every two months of the school year
Click Here

Isaiah Kacyvenski

Origin: Endicott, New York
(October 3, 1977)

Heroic Values: Achievement, Courage, Perseverance, Vision

Background

Isaiah Kacyvenski was the youngest of five children, born to very poor parents and an abusive alcoholic father. As a child, Isaiah and his family went garbage-diving in search of food, lived in a tent for a few months, and ate nothing but popcorn for weeks on end. The kids also walked on eggshells when around their father and whenever one misbehaved, all were punished; normally by lining up with their pants down and getting whipped with a belt. By the age of nine, Isaiah knew that he wanted a different lifestyle; he knew that college was the answer, and that football would get him to college.

In high school Isaiah was the captain of his football team and an honor student. He lifted at 5 AM every day and went to get help from his teachers before school started. He was offered a full ride scholarship to play football at Harvard, but didn't accept right away- he wasn't sure that Harvard was the best place for him, until the head coach asked, "Are you really ever going to regret having a degree from Harvard?" On the morning of the most important football game of his high school career, Isaiah's mother was hit and killed by a truck; he decided to play the game for her, and went to on play one of the greatest games of his life. At Harvard, the linebacker started every game of his four-year career, and was named Rookie of the Year for the Ivy League as a freshmen. After four years at the institution, Isaiah graduated with honors and a pre-med degree.

At football camp for his new team, the Seattle Seahawks, Isaiah asked his forgiven father to accept his Harvard degree in his name. Isaiah played for Seattle for seven years (incuding in 2006's Superbowl) before he signed with the St. Louis Rams in 2006. Isaiah got all he ever wanted by working hard for it. He said he wanted the American dream; a wife, 2.5 kids, a white picket fence and a dog. He married his high-school sweetheart and they now have two children, and and he also has a good relationship with his recovering father.

Submitted by: Allison Kelly

Sources

Wikipedia
The online encyclopedia

NFL.com
Kacyvenski's profile

USA Today
An article on Kacyvenski