OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is pleased to support the efforts of the Washington State Treasurer’s Office, Jump Washington Coalition, the NFL and Visa, Inc. in bringing the financial education game Financial Football to Washington middle and high school classrooms.
With the help of Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, Treasurer James McIntire led teams of students at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle in a competitive game of Financial Football this morning, officially kicking off the Financial Football program in Washington State.
McIntire and Jackson spoke to students about the importance of understanding financial education concepts prior to the competition. Jackson admitted financial knowledge hadn’t been a priority for him when he was younger, “But now that I have two young kids, it’s not just about me,” he said.
“When I get older, I don’t want to be working — I can’t play football forever,” Jackson told students, adding that being a professional football player is not typically a long-term career due to the physical nature of the game. “I’m 28 years old and I feel old.”
Jackson also shared with students a story about why budgeting is important, no matter how much money you make. He said he and his best friend on the team were talking about some of the other NFL players they knew who didn’t manage their money wisely and eagerly awaited the start of the new season because they were out of money.
“In the off season there are no checks coming in,” he explained. “You’ve got to stay on your budget.”
Answering questions about credit, insurance, debit and credit cards and other financial topics, the teams squared off, earning yards and eventually points with correct answers — Jackson and his team for the Seahawks, McIntire and his team for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round and for the Philadelphia Eagles in the shorter second round. Students provided the answers to their “coaches” and moved their teams down the field — or turned the ball over to the opposing team — accordingly. Treasurer McIntire’s team won both rounds.
Amidst a throng of students clamoring to play another round, exclaiming “That was fun!” Jackson and McIntire posed for pictures and encouraged students to play their personal copies of the game at home.
Copies of the game have been sent to all Washington public schools, is available online at www.watreasurer.financialfootball.com and free copies may be obtained by contacting the Washington State Treasurer’s Office at www.tre.wa.gov.