NIU Huskies talk to troubled juveniles

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Since touching down at Brookley Field, Sean Progar has known he's here for the big game, the Godaddy.com Bowl, but also to deliver a message.

The Northern Illinois defensive end has had a troubled past, making him the perfect candidate to speak to juveniles at the Strickland Youth Center.

"It's something that our staff and our kids really look forward to," Circuit Judge Edmond Naman said.

"Kids are the same across the nation. So, I think it's important for us to show our influence as much as we can to anyone in the community. And I think that's just a part of being a role model and a football player," Progar said.

And he wasn't alone. Teammate Mason Fuller joined him, spreading the word that it's never too late to make the right decisions.

"It's not that hard; a little hard work, a little patience. You can always do better in life," Fuller said.

"These kids are hurting right now, and they are in a place that is not always the best place. And they are hurting, they're lonely," Naman said. "A lot of them have missed the holidays with their families. But, they're in a perfect place right now for somebody to come in and show them the light and show them a different way."

But often times, Naman said these kids don't respond well to members of authority. So for many, role models like Progar are tasked with changing their lives alone.

"We're football players. We're in school, too. We're still students, so I think it's important for them to hear from someone close to their age. And hopefully, we affect them, and they just think about it," Progar said. "I just want them to think about it later today. And hopefully, they make a change in the way their daily life is going to help them in the future."