LeBron James Addresses High School Dropout Crisis In New PSA (VIDEO)

One high school student drops out every twenty-six seconds, a statistic LeBron James says he was determined not to be a part of in a new public service announcement for The U.S. Army and the Ad Council.

"Just like the public service announcement says, without the amazing people in my community, I could have easily ended up a statistic. It was my coaches, teachers, friends, and mentors who gave me the support I needed to stay focused. I know what it means for kids in tough situations to have a strong network of support," James said in a release announcing the PSA.

Creators of the campaign say that they tapped the NBA superstar in an effort to deter students from thinking that athletic success does not require you to succeed academically.

According to partner site Boostup.org, 1.3 million students don't graduate each year -- 46 percent of blacks, 44 percent of hispanics and 49 percent of American Indians -- and earn over $260,000 less over the course of their careers than those who do graduate.

James was promoted as a future NBA star during his sophomore year of high school at St. Vincent – St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, and considered declaring for the 2002 draft after the season ended by petitioning for an adjustment to the NBA's draft eligibility rules, which at the time required prospective players to have at least completed high school, according to a 2009 article in The New York Times.

The petition was unsuccessful, but it ensured him an unprecedented level of nationwide attention as he entered his senior year, landing him spots on the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine by his senior year.

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Is Lebron James' new PSA hypocritical?

No. He graduated and that's what matters.

Yes. And it sets unrealistic expectations for young adults.

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Comments

[Louis Calabro]

01:01 PM on 03/25/2012

President Barack H. Obama  
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave    
Washington, D.C.             

March 25, 2012

Dear President Obama:

I applaude your recently expressed concern for the sad and terrible death of African American Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fl. You seemed to show special sadness and understanding for young Martin because you too are African America.

Notwithstanding your race, it is my opinion that you have the moral and legal obligation to be the President of all of America’s citizens,  regardless of being black, white or otherwise.

With that in mind I respectfully implore you to show concern for Christian Channon and Christopher Newsom, the young couple who were raped, sodomized , tortured and murdered and burned in Knoxville, TN. on January 6, 2007.

The retrial of the perpetrators of horrific crime is currently in progress.

Thank you for your kind attention in this most pressing and important matter to all Americans.  

Louis Calabro

[Dscprlnt]

12:21 PM on 01/11/2012

It's important to note that there are also many reason for dropping out of school which are completely out of the students control. Young people around the country are literally being "pushed out" of school by unwelcoming school environments, poor/inadequate curricula and punitive discipline practices that focus on suspending and expelling students for even the most minor of infractions.

According to DOE data more U.S. students are being suspended and expelled than ever before. In 2006, 3.3 million students were suspended out-of-school at least once and 102,000 were expelled.

Data also shows that suspensions are for minor misbehavior like “disruptive behavior,” “insubordination” or school fights. Even preschool students are being expelled—at more than three times the rate of K-12 students. Education Week estimates that 1.3 million U.S. students who entered ninth grade in 2006 did not graduate from high school after four years.

If as a student, this is what you have to deal with on a day to day basis (treated like a "threat" and "potential criminal" who deserves to be suspended and kicked out for pretty much anything you do) you can't really blame them for "dropping out".

[mr whiteffolks]

08:55 AM on 01/11/2012

It's easy to say stay in school when you have the world by the tail as LeBron does ! Granted it's great that he's doing the PSA but most kids who drop out of school do so for reasons that most of us can't relate to !

LeBron unlike most of us will never ever have to work a day in his life and unlike most of us he has never held a "real job" ! Playing sports is something that most Black males do on a daily basis and would do regardless if they had pro potential or not !

LeBron was blessed with skills and talent a physique that most of us will never ever get ! Now all he has to do is win a ring and learn to step up in crucial games ! That's what separates the great players from the rest !

[Uchenna Oparah]

07:46 AM on 01/11/2012

A pro prospect graduating from high school is virtually a given. Its a requirement for both NBA and NFL. In the NFL, 3 years of college (or 2 years in another league) is required. Otherwise Lebron might have been a (VERY rich) statistic himself.

That being said, I certainly give big respect to any athlete who steps out of his world of privilege and self-indulgence to send a message out that sorely needs to be heard. As a high school teacher, I see these "statistics" on a daily basis...virtually all Blacks and Latinos.

What I would LOVE to see is an athlete who is a COLLEGE GRADUATE telling these same students the benefits of postsecondary education. One step at a time I guess...

[mr whiteffolks]

08:59 AM on 01/11/2012

What I would LOVE to see is an athlete who is a COLLEGE GRADUATE telling these same students the benefits of postsecond­ary education. One step at a time I guess...

Agreed ! Funny that former Florida State and current Tennessee Titan safety Myron Rolle was a Rhodes Scholar but you never ever hear about that ! He was chosen as the second smartest professional athlete by Sporting News !

[abuja19]

01:45 AM on 01/11/2012

This is why I like Lebron. He is a good model for success. Yes, his business decisions might not be popular worldwide, but the dude is a good example of what hard work and determination can net a person.

[mr whiteffolks]

08:51 AM on 01/11/2012

LeBron like so many others, has been blessed with God given ability and talent and a body to match ! Not many people are blessed with the kind of athletic skills he and others possess !

[Bados]

12:37 AM on 01/11/2012

I cant wait until people realize that Lebron is and has always been a great role model.

[Mailman]

10:17 PM on 01/10/2012

I think it's a great ad, I respect Lebron James for doing something about huge problem in the black community. Bravo! It's great to see a black man pushing this positive message.

[youcanberichtoo]

08:59 PM on 01/10/2012

What's the difference between LeBron James and a bathtub? The bathtub has a ring.

[Bados]

12:36 AM on 01/11/2012

Easily 2012's worst joke. Anything about the PSA?

[X Williams]

07:54 PM on 01/10/2012

I like Lebron.. He seems highly intelligent and unlike other black pro athletes PROUD to be black.. He has a black fianc? Black babies.. And seems to be supportive of black causes.. Unlike Tiger, Jordan, Kobe, Odom and others who run from their blackness the first pro check they get...

[parrotfish]

07:34 PM on 01/10/2012

This is what the sports stars that the kids look-up to as role models should be doing (...they shouldn't, their parents/family should be their role models but thats for another discussion).

Good to let the kids know they should have a back-up plan and education should be one of the main back-ups. It's ok to have dreams and aspire to greatness but that can come in other areas not only in or thru sports.

I hope more stars do these regularly not only when it is to rehad an image or as some do only as part of a plea deal for community service.

[Eve PurvisAllen]

06:45 PM on 01/10/2012

LeBron do the right thing and go back and finish school...Be a total example of do as I say and not as I do to young black males who think they can get up out of the hood playing sports. I admire his business sense and street smarts though. More athletes should do more PSA's!

[Bados]

12:35 AM on 01/11/2012

He finished school. Tell your mechanic plumber HVAC man and the builders of your house to go back to school.

It's a reach for you to say that he's currently doing the wrong thing. He's learning more from his friend Warren Buffett than he could for the Wharton School of Business.

I think being a good parent and staying out of trouble getting married to his BM is doing much more than him going to college to prove a point. If he decides he wants to go then he should go.

[Uchenna Oparah]

07:49 AM on 01/11/2012

HVAC and mechanic have additional training past high school. I dont think college is for everyone, but everyone should do some kind of postsecondary training. HS grad just isnt enough anymore...

[Eve PurvisAllen]

11:10 AM on 01/14/2012

I hear you...I should have stated to go back and get a college education--only about 16% of sports figures who are drafted have a college education and 3% of that are black. Young black males need to know if I don't make it like LJ, I can be a educated businessman like him. I am in no way hating on LJ. Unlike most players, he is a different breed. He's invested in Manchester U in the U.K. & is always thinking ahead of the ball "curve" and finally wifing his BM is a great start. But still encourage youth to get a college degree is a good start-Nuff said-At Peace :)

[halojohnson]

04:11 PM on 01/10/2012

See that! Sports aren't so important because education is always first...even if you're a religious person because part of any religion is some sort of learning...therefore education always comes first

[22Keys]

03:52 PM on 01/10/2012

There is nothing wrong with having a lofty dream (Singer, Athlete, Actor, etc.) but have a solid backup plan (education).

[LadiesloveCJ]

02:15 PM on 01/10/2012

Good for him!