Sep 9, 2008 2:37 pm US/Eastern
Hines Ward Visits Local Elementary School
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
He's a wide receiver for the Steelers on the field, but today Hines Ward took over the role of coach during a visit to a local elementary school.
Ward made a stop at Park Elementary School in Munhall to help unveil a new pedestrian safety clinic and teach kids a valuable lesson.
"Ball goes into the street," Ward told the second grade students, "No! Let it go! Don't' run after that ball!"
Ward was on hand to help coach the safety clinic aimed at keeping students safe on their walks to school.
To help get the message across to students, the school transformed its gym into a "safety town."
The school's principal, Dr. Carole Policastro, says the pedestrian safety lessons are especially valuable for students in her district.
"This is a school district that does not have busing so therefore most of our children walk so we want our children to be, to walk to and from school safely," Policastro told KDKA. "So this is a program to help them and to provide them with the tools to make sure that they arrive to school and home safely."
During the clinic, Ward and an officer with the Allegheny County Police Department demonstrated safe ways to cross the street and safe playground behavior.
Today's appearance was part of the 5th Annual FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week Program, which honors outstanding play by NFL quarterbacks and running backs each week.
This season, FedEx has extended its partnership with Safe Kids USA, a non-profit organization that works to prevent accidental injuries in kids. Donations will be made to local Safe Kids USA coalitions each week, in the winning players' names.
Steelers running back Willie Parker is a finalist for Ground Player of this week. If Parker receives the most online votes, FedEx will donate $1,000 to Safe Kids Allegheny County.
Click Here To Cast Your Vote For Willie Parker
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