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Rookie Dre Greenlaw addresses graduating foster youth being honored by the 49ers
Jun 13, 2019 at 10:22 AM
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The San Francisco 49ers hosted more than 50 Santa Clara foster youth at Levi's Stadium on Wednesday night, per a press release issued by the team. The organization took an opportunity to honor the group for graduating from high school, obtaining a GED, earning a vocational program certificate, or acquiring an associate, bachelor or master degree during the 2018-2019 academic year.
The annual event, which is in its second year, included an awards ceremony and dinner. One of the 49ers players who addressed the graduates was rookie linebacker
Dre Greenlaw, who himself spent years in foster homes. Also in attendance was defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and offensive lineman Ben Garland.
"A lot of people can't relate to us," Greenlaw said during his speech. "We're a different type of people in this world because we can survive anything. I'm telling you, we can survive anything. We've been through it all. I keep that in my mind every day that I wake up, that I'm a survivor.
"I feel like what has happened in my life previously, there's nothing that can stop me from where I want to be and where I want to go. I feel like the only person that's stopping me is me."
RELATED 49ers rookie Dre Greenlaw trying not to get fired and wondering why he's buying so many snacks
You can watch part of Greenlaw's speech below, courtesy of Hannah Gordon of the 49ers.
If you're not familiar with Greenlaw's story, I recommend you read
Matt Barrow's fantastic profile on the linebacker for The Athletic.
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