REGINALD “REGGIE” BERRY

Background:

Reggie was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  As the consummate high school athlete, he led his football, baseball, and track teams to state championships and received awards in football and basketball.  Reggie, an avid history buff in high school, became a sought after youth speaker, teaching black history at various colleges and service organizations throughout the state.

Education:

Reggie received numerous offers for academic and football scholarships.  He graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a B.A. in Sociology.  In the football program there he made All Conference as a defensive back.  Additionally Reggie has an Honorary Teaching Credential from the State of California.

Professional Football:

Reggie played in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and also in the World Football League.

Goals for Life Foundation: 

Reggie started out teaching goal setting to migrant students; however he wanted a program that would be open to students of any class or ethnicity.  So he founded Goals for Life, a nonprofit organization.  Goals for Life sends retired NFL alumni into public schools to mentor at-risk youth for a school year. Reggie believes that the formula for winning in sports also applies to the world of education, business, and life.  Reggie and the former football players teach the kids that a goal is something you want for your future; then they help the kids develop their goals and show them how they can win in life.  The players teach the students that everything is a game, so find out what the rules are, stay in bounds, and play to win.  Goals for Life has been helping youth for 22 years.  During this time, over one hundred former NFL players have received supplemental income from changing the lives of over 20,000 students. 

Board of Directors NFL Former Players Association:

For four years Reggie has been one of the elected members of the board.  He represents the interests of 15,000 former NFL players throughout the country.  Reggie was instrumental in bringing football related health issues in front of congress.  He has assisted in setting up studies to learn more about concussions and to help retired players get free treatment.

Awards:

• 1998 Southern California Inter-Scholastic Federation John Wooden Award
• 1998 National Freedom Award in Washington D.C. for outstanding service to youth  
• 2002 Eureka Fellowship Award from the United Way
• 2005 Charity of the Year Award presented by Sports Mavericks Smart Talk
• 2006 AMFML Inspirational Award by the Aquatic Foundation of Metropolitan Los Angeles for work with children through the Goals for Life program
• 2007 Teachers Making a Difference Award at the Cherry Blossom Festival
• 2010 Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Youth Inspiration Award 
• 2011 Unsung Athlete Award from The Black Academy of Arts & Letters at the Super Bowl

Hobbies:

Reggie is a lifelong student of history and sociology.  He also enjoys golf.