Former Player Provides Winning Message

Visits Area Schools

A former professional football player provided words of advice and encouraged goal setting during assemblies across the Fort Peck Reservation on Friday, Jan. 5.

Levi Horn visited schools in Brockton, Poplar, Frazer and Wolf Point during his tour. The former NFL player said he has visited Frazer School about six times, but this was his first experience at the other three schools.

Sponsors included the Fort Peck Health Promotion Disease Prevention and Native Connectionz.

Horn’s football journey included spending one year at the University of Oregon before being kicked off that squad.

“I was a good football player, but socially didn’t make the best decisions,” Horn said. He noted that many indigenous people live in a house of trauma. “Sometimes when we’re in survival mode, we think it’s because of bad luck.”

Horn’s second chance came at the University of Montana where he played offensive tackle from 20062009. He noted that he learned life and coping skills in Missoula.

“These are the things that make life easier,” Horn said. “Life is hard.”

He went on to play for the Chicago Bears. Horn also played in the Canadian Football League.

Horn now works for the Spokane School District in Washington where he helps youth involved in addiction. He holds a degree in sociology of criminology and has received his credentials to be a substance use disorder professional.

The Spokane, Wash., native talked to area students about the seven grandfather teachings of honesty, truth, humility, love, wisdom, courage and respect.

“We have to be active learners,” Horn stressed to the students. “We can’t be passive in education. We can’t be passive in life.”

He added that excuses can make a person passive. “This life is about being active,” he noted.

Horn reminded students that they are representing their school, tribe, family and people when they go into non-tribal communities. He encouraged them to undo negative perceptions that others might have.

“I’m never going to resolve hate with more hate,” Horn said.

He also discussed the cycle of lateral violence. He urged for students to build each other up and not take away others’ dreams.