Gimme 5: Rich Central's Yarborough Teaching More than Football

In his day, Ryan Yarborough excelled at the game of football. Now, he wants to help younger people excel in life.

The Rich East grad starred at Wyoming in college and went on to play in the NFL, first for the New York Jets and then the Baltimore Ravens.

Currently, Yarborough is entering his second year as the receivers coach at Rich Central High School.

But he's not all football, all the time. He recently launched the Ryan Yarbrough Foundation.

“The foundation is aimed toward helping teens and young adults get to the next level,” Yarborough said. “Whether it is in athletics, entertainment, education (or through) other venues.”

In a career filled with highlights, Yarborough lists catching the game-winning touchdown in his first varsity game against Thornton Fractional South as one of his fondest memories.

He caught as many accolades as passes and once held the NCAA record for career games with a touchdown with 27. He also caught a game-winning touchdown from Boomer Esiason against the Minnesota Vikings when he was with the Jets.

The two-time collegiate All-American also was on the last Bob Hope show.

“I feel very grateful for the experiences I have had,” Yarborough said.  “I was able to make it by the grace of God. There are a lot of great players from this area that never make it to the pros.”

Yarborough hopes to teach young people today to represent themselves well.

“The main thing I want to teach these kids is to be accountable and responsible for their actions," he said.

Yarborough hopes to build his foundation so that in the next year it can have a facility.

“I hope to go local, national then worldwide,” he said.

The way Yarborough went national with his football career, there is no doubting he can do the same with his foundation.

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