Like most kids growing up, DeMario Douglas loved summer vacation, though there was one aspect of going back to school that he looked forward to.
Back-to-school shopping.
"I used to lay my fit out the day before," the New England Patriots wide receiver said. "I used to have my fit for the whole week laid out, so that used to be the best thing – getting my clothes ready to go back to school."
Douglas shared this while he and his Patriots teammates participated in the second annual "Get Fit for School" program – an initiative between Gatorade and the Patriots Foundation to help give local students a jumpstart on the coming school year.
After watching Tuesday's training camp practice, 50 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester were surprised by backpacks filled with school supplies. The Gatorade-branded backpacks each came with two signature squirt bottles and were hand-delivered to the students by players themselves.
"These backpacks are tough," Douglas said, admiring the kids' new merch. "Those are tough. I never had something like that. I wouldn't take that off all day at school if I had a Gatorade backpack and two of those Gatorade bottles to use."
The program was designed to make youth sports accessible to all and promote physical activity as a means for academic success, citing that participation in coached, structured sports help students develop leadership, focus, and time management – all skills that correlate to better performance in the classroom.
Attending the practice was inspiration for the kids, seeing players who all had to work hard in school to play football in college and reach the NFL. This was a message that players and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel tried to convey to the students during their interactions.
The importance of preparation was also a big theme of the event. After watching the Patriots practice to prepare for game days, the students will be ready to go with all the supplies they need to have a great school year from the jump.
"These kids are going to have everything they need to take the stress off them," Douglas said.
"They or their parents don't have to go out and spend money. To have all these things is a blessing, and it's a blessing to give back to the community and the youth."
