Kassim was an un-drafted rookie that has been in the National Football League for five (5) years. Each year he believes he needs to do more for youth & his community. He lives his life by this simple code. Kassim is a true example of the word “Community Man” as shown through his events & activities for youth and his community for the intrinsic value only. His focus is on improving the quality of life for our youth and their families. He just simply enjoys life and shares that philosophy with everyone. He believes that “If you have a lot give a lot… If you have a little… give what you can.”
“A bridge is built with many hands . . . from the factory steel workers, to the truck drivers, to those who weld the final piece in place.”
-Kassim Osgood #81 2007 & 2008 Pro Bowl Selection
San Diego Chargers
Because Kassim feels responsible for being an “Ambassador” to the San Diego Community and a positive influence for youth, he created Team KO, a mentorship & scholarship program, to "take over" San Diego. “By take over I mean getting involved directly with as many children in San Diego with our rewards & incentives mentorship programs as possible, in order to influence them and encourage them to pursue success.
Success does not come cheap. Hard work is what pays off and we want our youth to realize and visualize what it takes to achieve the goals they set for themselves”. He spends countless hours with kids sharing his love and testimonials, feeding them examples of his many life experiences and teaching the youth that rewards are only earned by making good decisions. Team KO functions under the non-profit umbrella of Athletes for Education (AFE); a San Diego based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization: www.afefoundation.org
Team KO recognizes and rewards youth who succeed in the classroom, improve their citizenship and make progress towards becoming more physically fit. Through his mentorship program, Kassim collaborates with teachers and administrators from San Diego City high and middle schools as well as directors from youth organizations. Team KO’s efforts are focused in areas within San Diego where children are more at-risk due to lower income levels. The students come from families that do not have the disposable income to purchase tickets to Chargers games.
As an additional incentive, Kassim personally delivers 80 tickets to the selected students to stress the importance of school, good grades, improved citizenship and physical fitness. To further emphasize the family’s role in the success of these kids, Kassim invites family members and creates a party atmosphere to celebrate their accomplishments and to inspire their classmates!
Kassim, working with teachers from San Diego County middle and high schools, and local youth organizations that assist in identifying students who excel in the classroom and who come from families that may not have the means to purchase tickets to students and teachers to Chargers games.
60 tickets were awarded to youth & teachers in 2006. In 2007 Kassim has a total of 80 tickets to award for every Chargers 2007-08 season home game; Kassim along with some of his NFL friends from the Chargers personally deliver tickets to students the Tuesday before Chargers home games.
To sponsor Kassim’s Team KO mentorship & scholarship program, please call (619) 583-4955. Athletes for Education is a San Diego based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the goal of “Helping Our Youth Help Themselves.”
Want to help support Team K.O.? Please visit the Web site for Celebritees and pick up one of Kassim's "Fire" shirts . 25 percent of all the proceeds of these shirts will support Team K.O. |
