Opponents seek to end a bungee-jumping venue, citing environmental and safety concerns.
By The Sports Xchange
The Sports XchangeDec 18, 2012
ST. LOUIS — When the St. Louis Rams signed Todd Gurley, they signed a star.
The second-overall pick from the 2012 draft, who is from the University of Illinois, became one of the top rushers in NFL history. He’s also an environmental activist, a social justice activist, and an activist for others who are marginalized, such as youth.
There have been some questions, however, about whether he is a role model. Gurley’s father, Steve, a former pro football player, has said that he’s worried his son has been a distraction. Gurley has maintained that he has never used his celebrity status to promote his interests, but he does talk about those who are different because he values them.
Gurley is a member of the Earth Pledge for Youth, which was conceived to help young athletes realize that sports isn’t just about playing a given sport.
“There is only one definition of success in life. And that is to become the best human being you can be,” Gurley said in the video. “Be able to do whatever you do as best as you can, and be able to inspire others to be the best humans they can be. This is truly what this entire Earth Pledge for Youth is all about. Everyone is human and it is impossible to be excluded from the human race.”
Gurley’s Earth Pledge for Youth was formed through his father’s connection with a Christian environmental group called the Earth Crusade. The Crusade, founded in 1979 in England, seeks to engage non-Christians through its environmental arm, Earth Alliance.
Earth Alliance has taken the idea, which started originally with the group’s founder, Bill McKibben, of taking nonconformist environmentalists who are not Christians and engaging them. What makes the Earth Pledge for Youth different is that it involves young people, from a wide variety of backgrounds, and incorporates the Earth Crusade’s environmental activism, while also providing educational and inspirational tools.
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