BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
Darrell Reid didn’t leave Freehold Borough behind.”I never really cut my ties,” said the ex-Freehold Borough High School star who is now playing professional football with the Indianapolis Colts. “I always try and find out what is going on.
“It’s nice strolling through the borough,” he added. “There are so many memories.”
Reid has been back in his borough in part catching up with his friends and finding out what is going on, and part to promote his Web site, www.followdreid.com. The site provides more than a way for family, friends or fans to communicate with the NFL’er, it is going to serve as the principal fundraiser for his personal charities, which include the Freehold Borough Community Center YMCA.
Recently, Reid was at the center, which is located on Center Street in the Freehold Borough, where he talked to the youngsters at the Colonial Basketball League’s end-of-season banquet. As an NFL player, Reid knows he is a role model and wants to use that position to reach today’s youngsters and make a difference in their lives.
Just one year out of college (University of Minnesota), he knows he can relate to the youth and send them a simple message about accountability.
“Young people need a younger person to relate to, someone who is doing something positive,” he said. “I talk about what I went through. They are going through the same things.
“Everybody is going to have their ups and downs,” he added. “Things won’t stay that way [down] unless you let them. You have to be able to hold yourself accountable.”
Reid said regardless of the number of children he talks to, if he can reach one of them and help them make the right decisions, he’s done his job.
The Freehold Borough Community Center, which promotes youth programs such as the Borough Recreation Camp for children ages 5-13, the Colonial Basketball League and Youth in Government, is pleased to have Reid on board.
“We are proud to have Darrell Reid as a spokesperson for our association,” said Annie Stattel, director of development for the YMCA of Western Monmouth County. “He has paved his road to the NFL through dedication to the character values that the YMCA promotes: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Darell provides the youth of our community with a much-needed positive role model as well as the inspiration that success is attainable through hard work.”
Reid, who grew up participating in YMCA programs during the summer, likes what the community center is doing for Freehold’s youth.
“What I’ve found in the borough is there are not a lot of things for kids to do or places to go,” he said. “They need a center like this. Hopefully, it can get bigger.”
Reid, a rookie defensive lineman with the Colts last year, knows that his football career is short-term. That’s why he wants doesn’t want to put off giving back to Freehold Borough, where his path to the NFL began.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be in the NFL,” he said. “I want to take advantage of being on top.”
Reid, who has returned to Indianapolis to continue his offseason training, plans to be back in the borough this summer to conduct a football clinic.
The NFL schedule-makers were kind to Reid and his family, friends and fans, as the Colts are opening the season on Sept. 10 at the Meadowlands against the New York Giants.