October 18, 2011 | newscenter.verizon.com
One thousand teenage boys from Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee gathered on Tuesday (Oct. 18) for Training Camps for Life, a partnership of the National Football League Players Association, A CALL TO MEN and the Verizon Foundation.
The half-day, NFL-star-studded event addressed topics such as overcoming adversity, decisions and consequences, and healthy teen relationships – a critical addition to the Training Camps for Life agenda.
[For broadcast quality b-roll: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/verizonfoundation/trainingcampsforlife/]
Studies have shown that one in three teens experiences relationship abuse. Additionally, nearly half – 47 percent – report having done something that compromised their values to appease their partner.
“A healthy relationship is built on respect – respect for your boyfriend or girlfriend – and respect for yourself,” said Frank Zombo, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. “If we can increase and promote healthy relationships, we will prevent relationship violence.”
Zombo was joined by fellow Green Bay Packer Desmond Bishop, retired Packer Blaise Winter, former Wisconsin Badger and retired Cleveland Brown Tarek Saleh, and Richie Armstrong, a former NCAA standout. The 1,000 teenage boys and participating professional athletes took the LIVERESPECT pledge (www.liverespect.org), a commitment to end teen relationship violence and speak out against domestic violence.
