Sports

Patches Nearby: VIDEO: Seattle Sounder Michael Tetteh Chats With Kids

The 20th overall pick of the MLS Superdraft was in Tacoma on Wednesday to promote healthy habits and making good choices. As part of Metro Parks Tacoma's Summer Meals Program, about 120 kids visited Chambers Creek Properties.

Michael Tetteh has never liked to drink alcohol.

He has never touched drugs.

He turns away unhealthy foods and snacks.

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The Seattle Sounder has reached a level few athletes ever reach - a three-year starter at UC Santa Barbara and 20th overall selection in the 2011 SuperDraft - by being disciplined and never losing sight of his goal.

It was a fitting message for a group of about 120 kids who listened to his every word and watched his every kick Wednesday at the Heidelberg Sports Complex in Tacoma, next to Cheney Stadium.

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The group is part of Metro Parks Tacoma's Summer Meals Program, which is provided through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Most of the kids are from Tacoma, but there are students from Lakewood, Fircrest and other surrounding communities.

Earlier in the day, the group visited  in University Place.

This year, Metro Parks Tacoma teamed with Tacoma- and Seattle-area Subway restaurants to provide a more nutritious meal to youth, according to Jose Gorospe, recreational manager.

Eating right was one of many things Tetteh, 22, encouraged kids to do to reach their goals.

"It was critical," he said. "I knew what I wanted to do and I knew what I wanted to achieve in my life. I had to follow some principles."

"There were so many alternatives," the Ghana native added. "But because what I wanted to do was so important to me, my family and my country, I had to follow my principles."

(Click on the media gallery to watch Patch's video coverage)

Those principles made him a Generation Adidas player who is expected to hit the pitch for his current club soon.

On Wednesday, he spoke, answered questions from adoring onlookers, signed autographs and even played a scrimmage with the kids. When asked which was harder to keep up with - his current teammates or a group of 120 or so hungry youth with lots of summertime energy - he didn't even hesitate.

"The 120 kids," Tetteh joked.


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