Bethea helping America's students

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An Indianapolis Colts veteran is doing some off-field work in the nation's capitol this week.

Seven-year safety Antoine Bethea and players from other NFL teams are trying to help the United Way recruit a million volunteers to help America's students.

The United Way program is called "Team NFL.”  The hope is to get one million people to work as mentors, tutors or readers.

Bethea spoke to 24-Hour News 8 from Washington, D.C., where he's helping promote the program and learn more about educational issues.  He's attending the United Way's "Youth Empowerment Summit."

"It's a lot of kids nowadays with single-parent households and really don't have that role model or a mentor - somebody who can take the time out to read to them or help them with their school work," said Bethea.  "I always said if I'm in a situation where I could go out and help, I would do that.  That's why I'm really here."

There's a contest between the players to recruit volunteers, and Bethea is behind the leaders right now.  If you'd like to help him help the cause, you can sign up on his sign-up page .