East St. John High School football players recently got to visit and talk with two professional football players.

Seattle Seahawks center Patrick Lewis and New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden took time out on April 9 to speak to the high school students about life and what it takes to succeed.

Head coach Alden Foster said he brought the players in because it is important to expose the high school students to positive role models.

“How often do high school football players get the chance for players from two Super Bowl teams to be with them?” Foster said. “I never had a Super Bowl player speak to me when I was younger, but I had college players come, and that sticks with me to this day.”

Foster said Lewis, an East St. John High School graduate, and Bolden, who grew up in Baton Rouge, came up the professional football ranks the long way and were able to deliver a special message about perseverance.

It’s a message Foster hopes his players use in their lives on and off the field.

In addition to speaking to students, Lewis and Bolden watched practice and interacted with the high school players one-on-one.