The A-Team w/ Wexler & Clanton

The A-Team w/ Wexler & Clanton

Adam Clanton & Adam Wexler are The A-Team! Talking all things Houston sports & more!Full Bio

 

Texans' David Johnson shares life experience at anti-bullying program

Growing up in Iowa, David Johnson wanted to do nothing more than have fun, go to school, play sports and spend time with his friends and family.

Johnson faced an early obstacle, though, during his childhood, encountering a bully. 

The experience scarred Johnson and it motivated the Texans' veteran running back to try to prevent bullying and late become an advocate for children living in fear and frustration.

The former Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl selection participated in an anti-bullying program at Browning Elementary School in Houston on Tuesday and was joined by Toro, the Texans' mascot. The educational program is intended to teach students what to do if they or someone they know is being bullied and includes a virtual program at the Texans' website : houstontexans.com/bullying.

"I've always wanted to be there for kids and children, students," said Johnson, a married father of two. "With me having to go through bullying personally when I was a kid and just reflecting on how traumatizing it was for me and how hard it was for me to feel safe at school, I always wanted to come back to other schools and let them know how important it is for everyone to respect each other and have fun and be kind to each other.

"It's very important because they're developing. They need every type of advice. When you have something such as bullying you have to deal with as a kid, it really hurts them in learning and their self-esteem as they're growing up. I feel like they have to deal with bullying and it traumatizes them and makes it hard to be a kid, just go outside and have fun, go to school and feel safe and see their friends. It's hard to be yourself when you're dealing with bullying."

Johnson emphasized his hopes that, through increased understanding and awareness, bullying can be eliminated. He emphasized the cruelty of online bullying and on social media platform, which can magnify the intensity, breadth and isolation for someone who's a victim of bullying.

"The biggest thing is everyone be kind to each other," Johnson said. "Like you said, it's still going on if not worse because of the cyber bullying and all of the social media and now everyone goes through that. I think it's even more important than it was when I was growing up. Now, it's not in person it's more online where everyone is able to be on there and you don't even necessarily see who the bully is, you don't know who that account is. I feel like it's even more important in this time and day."

Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 seasons, including the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. He has previously written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128


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