Keith Bulluck - Believing And Achieving

NASHVILLE, TN, Oct. 24, 2005 - Every time Keith Bulluck steps onto the football field, his presence is unmistakable, and his vivacity and flair for the dramatic has captivated fans since he became a Titan six years ago.

But inside one of the most athletically gifted linebackers ever to play in the NFL is an equally tangible heart, which has affected a different kind of audience off the field since May of 2003.

"I always said when I was in a position to do something for people, I would," Bulluck said. "And because foster care was something I was involved in, why not start there?"

It was that mindset that spawned his Believe and Achieve Foundation two and a half years ago, aimed at helping children in Middle Tennessee and New York State growing up in situations he knows first-hand.

Growing up in Rockland County, N.Y., Bulluck lived with his biological mother until the sixth grade, when circumstances at home led him to the house of Linda Welch, the mother of one of his best childhood friends. A stay that was supposed to last just three weeks turned into six years.

Bulluck recalls it was his mother that first pointed him in the right direction and his foster mother that 'fostered' his growth into a Syracuse-bound student-athlete. And today, he remains close with both women responsible for his upbringing, knowing each deserves credit for the man he has become.

"Me and my mom don't have a relationship like someone who stayed with their parents their whole life, but my mom was part of my life for 12 straight years," Bulluck said. "And Ms. Welch was there and extended her household to me at the age of 12 years old."

However, while Bulluck's experience was very positive, he knows other children in foster care are not nearly as fortunate. His Believe and Achieve Foundation promotes awareness by raising money and providing support the children need in order to believe in, and ultimately achieve their dreams.

The biggest charitable event is an annual off-season celebrity basketball game held at Vanderbilt, attracting other big names from around the NFL and Hollywood. In 2004, the game paved the way for the first annual Keith Bulluck Believe & Achieve book bag drive, which provided 100 children with bags filled with school supplies.

There is also his newly implemented computer program that works with New Horizons Technology, a computer training center that teaches children computer skills.

And then there is his annual Halloween party, held this year on Oct. 28th, which provides more than 60 children from Department of Children Services of Middle Tennessee and the Agape Center free admission to the Nashville Zoo.

"Halloween is cool," Bulluck says. "It gives the kids somewhere safe to go and gives them more activities than just going trick-or-treating in a residential neighborhood or wherever they may have to go. They can go to the zoo, check out the animals, walk around, and there are hundreds of other kids there that they can interact with."

And you can bet Bulluck, who is 6-3, 235 pounds, has fun interacting with the kids as well. Behind his intimidating, physical stature is an infectious smile and child-like demeanor. His partiality to movies, video games, and music is common knowledge around Titans headquarters, making him especially effective at relating with today's kids on topics other than football.
With his foundation still somewhat in its infancy, Bulluck is always thinking of new and exciting initiatives that will appeal to his biggest fans.

This year, for example, the foundation will host the first ever Believe and Achieve Christmas party, an event that involves a trip to the movies.

"I usually do my brainstorming when my season is over," Bulluck said. "Scharlene White and Paul Williams, the directors of my foundation, put a lot of their brainwork into it to come up with things to do. They run them past me, and if I like them and think they're good things, then that's great."

Among the things Bulluck enjoys sharing with kids is the importance of education, perseverance, and hard work - things that have helped him tackle adversity in life head on.
"Life to me is just a matter of how you play it," he smiles. "It's not over until it's over. There have been times in my life, at a young age, when I just thought I was down and out and there was no hope. But just because you're not in your ideal situation, you've got to play with the hand you're dealt. You've got to persevere."

To stay up-to-date on news about Keith's Christmas party and other foundation events, log onto his website, http://www.believeandachieve.org/.