Quarterback Kurt Warner

Kids in over 500 Missouri and Illinois schools will get to hear what St. Louis Rams players and cheerleaders think builds personal character.

The new character video featuring the Rams is called "Getting into the Game: Beyond Winning." Copies of the video have been sent schools in 35 Missouri districts and two in Illinois.

The video includes comments from star Rams players such as Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Aeneas Williams and Isaac Bruce. But, cheerleader Michele Steptoe-Clark also is included. Her day jobs include science teaching and working on the genome project that maps the human genes.

The Rams talk about character traits such as courage, commitment, cooperation, caring and honesty.

Area educators hope local kids will use the Rams' statements as examples of how to build their own personal character.

In the introduction, quarterback Kurt Warner urges kids never give up on their goals. He said there were "hundreds of people who told me I wouldn't get to where I am today. But, I wouldn't give up."

Warner played for years on arena-league and European football teams. Then, he was only a backup in the National Football League until leading the Rams to the 1999 Super Bowl championship.

He has been named the league the NFL's Most Valuable Player in both 1999 and 2001.

Commenting on courage, Warner said that's "when all odds are against you but you push your way through anyway."

Tight end Ernie Conwell

On the role of cooperation, tight end Ernie Conwell said the Rams' strength as a team depends on cooperation. "We respect each other's differences and then we rely on each other's strengths," he said.

Defensive end Grant Wistrom told about how his parents insisted that he and his brothers followed through on commitments. "That was the biggest rule in the house. Whatever you started, you had to finish," he said.

Defensive end Grant Wistrom

Defensive back Aeneas Williams

Concerning the idea of caring, defensive back Aeneas Williams said developing "your listening skills" helped you be a more caring person. After listening carefully, you are better able to make an "honest evaluation," he said.

Offensive guard Adam Timmerman got a laugh from some of his teammates when he mentioned his coaches were caring individuals. However, he added, although the coaches are tough, there is a "lot of love" within the whole Rams organization.

Guard Adam Timmerman

Wide receiver Isaac Bruce admitted that "sometimes telling the truth hurts." But, he added honesty always is the best policy.

Cheerleader Steptoe-Clark also said honesty can be difficult. But, she said, "It breeds character and respect. Being dishonest will get you nowhere."

Michele's inclusion in the video was a good choice. To spectators, cheerleaders may seem like just pretty entertainers. But Michele's jobs in teaching and gene research show she has a depth of character.

Cheerleader Michele Steptoe-Clark

The Rams also stressed the need for all kids to have good role models. Wide receiver Tory Holt and running back Faulk said they were fortunate to have their mothers as strong role models.

Wide receiver Tory Holt

Running back Marshall Faulk

Faulk told about his father dying early in his life and his mother working two jobs to keep the family together.

End Wistrom said he was very fortunate to have "two fantastic parents." He said they didn't always like everything he did. "Sometimes, they told us what we did was terrible," he added. But, they were always supportive.

Winstrom said not every kid has supportive parents. But, each person needs to find good role models. He added, "Make sure you find the right ones."

The "Get into the Game" video was a cooperative effort of the Rams, Channel 4/KMOV, the CHARACTERplus program of the Cooperative School Districts. Another sponsor is the Diversity Awareness Partnership.

In addition to the video, participating schools get a class lesson plan for each character trait. These also help kids and teachers to learn reading and communication skills.