An NFL star with Sacramento roots gave back to local students Wednesday, launching a new partnership aimed at expanding opportunities for kids who need it most.Arik Armstead, former San Francisco 49er, current Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle and Walter Payton Man of the Year, announced a new “Thrive Schools” partnership with Leataata Floyd Elementary School. He did so alongside his wife, Dr. Melinda Armstead. The initiative is part of the Armstead Academic Project, a program the couple founded to support students in underserved communities.The five-year program brought resources directly into schools, including funding, mentorship and access to programs focused on literacy, STEM and career exploration. Organizers said the program plans to invest up to $20,000 per school each year, creating what they describe as “educational Blue Zones” that support students academically, socially and emotionally.Following the announcement, Armstead spent time with fourth- and fifth-grade students, reading a book and answering questions during an interactive visit.The Armstead Academic Project also provided free books to every student who attended the reading, helping students build their home libraries.Armstead received a warm welcome from students and shared a personal message with them by revealing that reading did not come easily to him growing up, but he worked through those challenges and now wants to help other children build confidence.“I struggled with reading when I was younger, and I know how hard that can feel,” Armstead said. “I want kids to know they can push through that and believe in themselves, not just in reading, but in anything they want to achieve.”The nonprofit said its mission is to ensure a child’s ZIP code does not determine their future.The Armstead Academic Project was founded in 2019 and continues to expand its impact across California and Florida, with a focus on helping students reach their full potential by giving them access to programs that help them thrive.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
An NFL star with Sacramento roots gave back to local students Wednesday, launching a new partnership aimed at expanding opportunities for kids who need it most.
Arik Armstead, former San Francisco 49er, current Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle and Walter Payton Man of the Year, announced a new “Thrive Schools” partnership with Leataata Floyd Elementary School. He did so alongside his wife, Dr. Melinda Armstead.
The initiative is part of the Armstead Academic Project, a program the couple founded to support students in underserved communities.
The five-year program brought resources directly into schools, including funding, mentorship and access to programs focused on literacy, STEM and career exploration. Organizers said the program plans to invest up to $20,000 per school each year, creating what they describe as “educational Blue Zones” that support students academically, socially and emotionally.
Following the announcement, Armstead spent time with fourth- and fifth-grade students, reading a book and answering questions during an interactive visit.
The Armstead Academic Project also provided free books to every student who attended the reading, helping students build their home libraries.
Armstead received a warm welcome from students and shared a personal message with them by revealing that reading did not come easily to him growing up, but he worked through those challenges and now wants to help other children build confidence.
“I struggled with reading when I was younger, and I know how hard that can feel,” Armstead said. “I want kids to know they can push through that and believe in themselves, not just in reading, but in anything they want to achieve.”
The nonprofit said its mission is to ensure a child’s ZIP code does not determine their future.
The Armstead Academic Project was founded in 2019 and continues to expand its impact across California and Florida, with a focus on helping students reach their full potential by giving them access to programs that help them thrive.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel