Deatrich Wise (L) and Derek Rivers (R) reading a book to a group of students | Photo courtesy of Saint John Paul II AcademyNew England Patriots players Deatrich Wise and Derek Rivers shared time with students of Saint John Paul II Academy in the neighborhood of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
During the visit on October 29th, 2019, Wise and Rivers interacted with students, read a book, gave speeches, learned about the Academy Science Lab, and took some photos.
Talking with students from grades 3 to 5, the players expressed words about God, tenacity, perseverance, and prayer. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the grace of God. Going through life there are things that are going to be tough but you need to persevere,” Rivers said to the students. Wise said: “We are authors of our own life. Take your pen and write your next chapter out and do not let anyone else write your story for you.”
The Latin Catholic Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Seán O’Malley took time on Twitter to thank the Patriots for their deference with the academy.
Thank you @Patriots players @wisehog94 & @D_Rivers11 for visiting with the students at @SJP2CA. @CCatholicSchool @CSOboston https://t.co/cjYeceVCgp
— Cardinal Seán (@CardinalSean) October 30, 2019
Deatrich Wise Jr. and Derek Rivers are both 25 years old defensive ends for the New England Patriots since 2017.
