“There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book.” This quote by Frank Serafini is one that Stephen holds to great value. The ability to read opens creativity in young minds. Reading is knowledge and knowledge is power. Stephen hopes children will use this power to become world changers for the better. Stephen’s goal is enable every child in his community to have access to books and the ability to read them.

As a player for the Minnesota Vikings, Stephen spent time reading to children in KIPP schools in the Minneapolis community. KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Schools are a network of free open-enrollment college-preparatory schools in low income communities throughout the United States. Stephen wanted to use his platform as an NFL athlete to show the importance of education and reading to KIPP students.

Though many things changed in the move to the Carolinas, Stephen’s passion for the KIPP Network and children’s literacy did not. Along with the launch of the Stephen Weatherly Foundation, Stephen brought a challenge to KIPP Schools in the Charlotte, NC area. In the month of November, all top weekly readers will receive a reward from the Carolina Panthers. All students who read 91 books (Stephen’s jersey #) will received a special prize at the end of the this year.