Don’t give up on your dreams, NFL player tells youths

When Mike Karney talks, teenagers listen.

When Mike Karney talks, teenagers listen.

“Give me your eyes,” Karney began as he spoke on the importance of setting goals and making smart choices to more than three dozen teenagers March 26 at the Springwood Recreation Hall gym on Kent’s East Hill.

The teenagers focused their attention on Karney, a fullback with the New Orleans Saints and a 2000 graduate of Kentwood High School, who came home to share how he went from just another kid in Kent to a professional in the NFL.

“I was never the biggest, the strongest or the fastest,” Karney said. “And I’m still not, but I’m in the NFL. It takes hard work and drive. I’m still trying to be the best I can be.”

Karney, 26, spoke to teenagers at the Lighthouse program at Springwood, a public-housing development, in an effort to give youths a positive outlook in what they can accomplish in their lives. The Lighthouse program is managed by Kent Youth and Family Services.

“I want to give back to the city because this is my home,” the 5-foot-11, 258-pound Karney told the teenagers. “You deserve great things. If somebody tells you that you can’t do something, don’t listen to them. Find your passion and believe you can do it.”

Ibrahim Abdirizak, 15, a Kentlake High School student, liked what he heard from Karney, who is now in his fifth season with the Saints after being drafted out of Arizona State University.

“I thought it was awesome,” said Abdirizak, who also received an autographed football from Karney. “Everything was real with what he said about how to follow your dreams.”

Karney always had a dream to play in the NFL. But he told his audience the dream can be a veterinarian, a doctor, an NBA player or whatever else you want to be. He emphasized the importance of setting short-term goals to help reach the long-term goal.

Allen Shour, 16, a Kentlake student, also liked Karney’s message.

“He was good,” said Shour, who hopes to become a firefighter. “You need to find new ways of surviving and just be yourself.”

Karney recalled how he tired of people telling him he was too slow or too small in his school days. He used that as motivation to become faster and stronger through personal weightlifting workouts after school and on weekends. He would even push a car to build strength.

“People would see me and thought my car had broke down,” Karney said. “But I was pushing it to build leg strength. I’m not asking you guys to go push a car, but that’s what I did.”

One teenager asked Karney if he smoked or drank.

“I do not smoke,” Karney said. “I have a drink as an adult, but I did not drink in junior high or high school. People wanted to party or drink, I went to the gym. If they wanted to party after the game, I went home to rest.”

Sara Wood, a public education specialist with the Kent Police who works with the Springwood youth, had heard Karney spoke last year to students at Covington Elementary School and figured he would be a good speaker to talk about setting goals for the Lighthouse program.

“He’s from Kent and it’s great to have someone come back to town,” Wood said of the football player, who now lives in Arizona in the offseason.

Karney, who plans to offer his first youth football camp June 28 at Kentwood High, didn’t just show up, talk, sign autographs and leave. When a boy asked him after his talk if he wanted to play some basketball, Karney said, “Sure,” and joined the teenagers for several pickup games.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
33rd Legislative District sets Telephone Town Hall for April 29

District includes part of Kent; call hosted by Sen. Orwall and State Reps. Gregerson and Obras

Kent Police officers will carry the latest Taser 10 model produced by Axon Enterprises. The gun can fire more shots and at a longer distance than the older model. COURTESY PHOTO, Axon Enterprises
Kent Police add latest Taser model to officers’ equipment

Taser 10 can shoot more shots at a longer distance; department also adds dash cameras

t
Kent crime numbers drop dramatically in first quarter of 2025

All categories down compared to first three months of 2024; commercial burglaries drop 62%

t
Kent Police arrest man in stolen vehicle after short pursuit

Seattle man, 36, taken into custody April 14 at apartment complex near Kent-Meridian High School

t
Kent church reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program

Kent United Methodist Shared Bread Program helps people pay rent, utilities

Atena, part of a Kent Police K-9 unit, helped locate a man who reportedly fired three to five shots from his motorcycle at another vehicle April 12 in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
WSP plane, Kent K-9 unit locate man who fired shots at teen

Motorcyclist fled drive-by shooting on West Hill during April 12 incident

A house in Issaquah was damaged by fallen trees during November’s bomb cyclone. (Courtesy of King County Councilmember Sarah Perry’s office)
FEMA denies funds to WA for damage caused by 2024 ‘bomb cyclone’

Gov. Bob Ferguson says federal funds are needed to address $34 million in damage caused by the storm, and that the state will appeal.

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE., in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Person who made Kentwood High social media threat tracked down

‘Had no means to carry out the threat,’ according to King County Sheriff’s Office

A man places his ballot into the drop box outside Federal Way City Hall. Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of voters

Congressman reports law could cost Washingtonians over $361 million just to register to vote.

t
Judge dismisses petitions to recall 2 Kent School Board members

Group wanted to recall Meghin Margel and Tim Clark

t
Kent Police Blotter: March 25 to April 6

Incidents include attempted bank robbery, cable wire theft, DUI arrest, parking lot robbery

Courtesy Photo, Kent Police
New 3-year contract gives Kent Police officers pay boost

Hikes of 16% and 17% in 2025 compared to 2022; beginning salary at $96,306 with annual increases