20 N.J. kids get new sneakers -- and some good advice -- from ex-NFL player

Weatherford, the Health and Fitness Ambassador for the New Jersey Boys and Girls Clubs, took brought 20 Hudson County kids sneaker shopping and took the time to teach the kids about the importance of setting short and long term goals.

JERSEY CITY -- As a kid gearing up to go back to school at the end of each summer, Steve Weatherford always looked forward to getting a new pair of sneakers to start the year off fresh. 

The former New York Giants punter said he always had enough food to eat and great parents, but sometimes wished he was wearing the newest Air Jordans or Air Maxes. 

This morning, Weatherford -- the health and fitness ambassador for the New Jersey Boys and Girls Clubs -- made his own childhood wishes a reality for 20 Hudson County kids by buying them each a pair of brand name sneakers, while also offering some advice about the importance of setting goals.

"I think it's great to give you guys tennis shoes, so you can kind of have a little more confidence and some swag, you got some new shoes on your feet, but really for me the most important part about being here today with you guys is to share my story with you," the 33-year-old told the group of Jersey City and Hoboken kids at Sneaker Room on Central Avenue. 

Weatherford said when he was 14 years old he only weighed 108 pounds. He knew he wanted to be a professional athlete and by spending a lot of time in the weight room before school, he was able to achieve his goals. 

He handed each kid a piece of paper and pen, and asked them to write down three goals: one they want to achieve in 30 days, another they want to accomplish by this time next year, and a long-term goal for the future.

Sneaker Room's owner Suraj Kaufman, who grew up in the Marion Gardens housing complex, shut his business down for the day for the event. After passing out bags of school supplies to the kids, Kaufman told the group to set their goals high and go for it. 

"Whatever you want to do, whatever you want to be, an entertainer, do it," he said.

Weatherford also pulled the Super Bowl ring he won as a member of the Giants in 2012 from his pocket to show the kids they can achieve any goal they put their mind to. He later took photographs with each kid individually, allowed them to wear his ring, and signed autographs. 

Gary Greenberg, executive director of the Hudson County Boys and Girls Club, said Weatherford really cares about the kids and his actions aren't about a photo opportunity.

The kids, too, felt empowered by Weatherford. 

"It felt good," said 14-year-old Nate. "I got to see a player from the Giants, I got sneakers, and we got some really inspirational advice from him."

Weatherford told The Jersey Journal it was a "no brainer" to bring the group to Sneaker Room because Kaufman is a local role model who has built a successful business from the ground up. 

"I don't feel like I'm that far away from being that little kid. I don't feel I'm any different than them, that Suraj is any different than them," Weatherford said. "I think that everybody's got gifts and the difference between somebody who finds success and somebody who doesn't find success is their willingness to pursue their passion." 

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.

20 N.J. kids get new sneakers -- and some good advice -- from ex-NFL player