KENNEWICK, Wash. – Seahawks legend Jermaine Kearse made a special visit to the Boys and Girls Club in Kennewick, bringing joy and inspiration to the community.
Kearse, a Boys and Girls Club alumni, expressed his appreciation for the program that helped shape his youth. After attending the University of Washington and playing for the Seattle Seahawks, the wide receiver cherishes the opportunity to give back to his home state.
“It’s just such a huge blessing to have that storyline, and to be able to tell that story, to others and, especially a lot of the people in the state of Washington, being from here and, you know, having the success that I did to just be able to, try to be a positive light,” Kearse said.
Kearse was eager to engage with the kids in Kennewick, a sentiment echoed by a local teen who acknowledged the rarity of such visits in the area.
“This place isn’t as big as Seattle. Like that’s his normal roaming area, but it’s honestly really crazy for it to be here in Kennewick, so close to home. I just think it’s unbelievable to say the least,” the teen said.
Kearse dedicated his time to interacting with the kids, sharing the experiences of his youth. He highlighted the importance of community involvement, mentioning other players who have also contributed to their communities.
“You see a lot of our guys, you know, Doug Baldwin, who’s super active in the community, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, like Marshawn Lynch, we all had success also on the field. But we also wanted to make an impact in the, areas that we spent the most time at.” Kearse said.
The visit wasn’t without its surprises. Kearse was bested in a three-point challenge by a young participant, leading to a member of Kearse’s party gifting the boy $100.
Along with the surprise money, the kids received smiles, laughter and inspiration from Kearse’s story. His visit to Kennewick is something that will resonate with them for a long time.
