The Brief

• Former Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl champion Jermaine Kearse visited the Boys and Girls Club in Kennewick for a fundraising event

• Kearse, who grew up participating in Boys and Girls Club programs in Washington state, toured the facility and interacted with local teens

• The visit coincided with the organization’s “Dinner with Friends” fundraiser, which raised over $440,000 last year

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Jermaine Kearse returned to his roots Thursday, visiting the Boys and Girls Club in Kennewick to support the organization that helped shape his path to the NFL.

Kearse, who played for in the NFL from 2012 to 2018, was a part of the only Seahawks team to win a Super Bowl. He grew up participating in Boys and Girls Club programs in Washington state. His visit included a tour of the Kennewick clubhouse and a question-and-answer session with teens and donors.

“I thought it was just super important to just kind of come back, and I had a great opportunity to come over here,” Kearse said. “To be able to support, I know how much the Boys and Girls Club makes an impact on our youth and what it did for me and a lot of my friends. So I thought it was a great opportunity to kind of come back, show some love and some support, and be able to just continue their mission.”

The Lakewood, Washington native recalled his time at the Rainier Vista branch, where former coach Reggie Middleton became a positive influence during his youth.

“I think that made a big difference in terms of how we all turned out and how we grew up, and the lessons that we learned from him,” Kearse said. “Just being able to have that mentor, that person that we can always kind of go to.”

During his visit, Kearse spent time with a select group of teens, taking pictures, throwing footballs and shooting hoops. The interaction left a lasting impression on the young club members.

“I was really excited. When we got off the van he was already walking in, it was like shocking,” said Dennise C., a Boys and Girls Club member. “I was like ‘No way, that’s Jermaine’. And then when I got the signature, I was hype to be honest.”

The teens left the event with autographs and memories from their time with the former NFL player.

Kearse served as the guest speaker at Thursday evening’s sold-out “Dinner with Friends” fundraiser. Last year’s event raised over $440,000 for the organization.

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Jermaine Kearse returned to his home state this week with a mission that went far beyond football — to give back to the community that helped shape his life.

On Thursday, Kearse visited the Boys and Girls Club in Kennewick, spending the day connecting with local teens, touring the facility, and serving as the guest speaker at the organization’s annual “Dinner with Friends” fundraiser. The event, which raised more than $440,000 last year, supports youth development programs that aim to provide safe spaces, mentorship, and life skills to young people across the Tri-Cities region.

For Kearse, the visit was deeply personal. Before his NFL career, the Lakewood, Washington native was one of those kids sitting in Boys and Girls Club gyms, playing sports, and learning from mentors who helped him navigate his formative years.

“I thought it was super important to just kind of come back,” Kearse said during his visit. “I had a great opportunity to come over here and support, because I know how much the Boys and Girls Club impacts our youth — what it did for me and a lot of my friends. So I thought it was a great opportunity to show some love and support, and to continue their mission.”

Kearse, who played in the NFL from 2012 to 2018, is best known for his key role in helping the Seahawks secure their first and only Super Bowl championship in franchise history. His time in the league — filled with clutch plays, resilience, and leadership — mirrors the lessons he first learned as a kid in the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club in South Seattle.

That club, he said, was more than just a place to play ball. It was a second home — one that provided structure, community, and guidance.

“I think that made a big difference in terms of how we all turned out and how we grew up,” Kearse said. “The lessons we learned there, the mentors we had — they really shaped us. I had Coach Reggie Middleton, who was that mentor for me. He was someone we could always go to, no matter what. That kind of relationship meant everything.”

Kearse’s words resonated with the teens he met at the Kennewick club. For many of them, meeting a professional athlete who once walked a similar path felt like seeing a dream within reach.

During his tour, Kearse spent time on the basketball court, tossed footballs with kids, and posed for countless photos. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, excitement, and disbelief that a Super Bowl champion was right there in their clubhouse.

“I was really excited,” said Dennise C., one of the Boys and Girls Club members who met Kearse. “When we got off the van he was already walking in, and it was shocking. I was like, ‘No way, that’s Jermaine!’ When I got his signature, I was so hyped — it made my whole week.”

For the Boys and Girls Club staff, Kearse’s visit was more than a celebrity appearance — it was a reminder of the long-term impact their work can have. Many of their members come from challenging circumstances, and seeing someone like Kearse — who once sat in their same seat — succeed at the highest level serves as a powerful motivator.

As the day transitioned into evening, Kearse took the stage at the sold-out fundraiser dinner, where community leaders, donors, and alumni gathered to celebrate the organization’s continued efforts. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of mentorship, consistency, and community investment in shaping young lives.

“The Boys and Girls Club gave me a place to belong,” Kearse told the crowd. “It taught me teamwork, accountability, and the importance of giving back. If we can keep providing that for more kids, imagine how much stronger our communities will be.”

The audience responded with a standing ovation, many visibly moved by his sincerity and his story.

For the Kennewick Boys and Girls Club, having someone of Kearse’s stature visit reinforces their mission — to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

As for Kearse, the day was a full-circle moment — from a boy at the Rainier Vista clubhouse to an NFL champion, and now a mentor inspiring the next generation.

“I just wanted to come back and be that person that I once looked up to,” he said. “If one kid walks away from today believing that they can do more, then it was all worth it.”

In a day filled with handshakes, smiles, and heartfelt conversations, Jermaine Kearse proved that the spirit of the Boys and Girls Club — built on mentorship, hope, and opportunity — continues to live strong, one young dreamer at a time.