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On the football field.
And off.
Not surprising, since Kris Wilson comes from a family of educators.
"There are two ways to learn," the San Diego Chargers tight end said prior to his fund-raising appearance Thursday night at the Mix at Arbor Place banquet at Willow Valley Resort and Conference Center.
"The easy way is for somebody to tell you. The other way is to learn it yourself."
The McCaskey graduate and University of Pittsburgh product acknowledges that like most of us, he has been on both sides of that statement.
When he first entered the NFL six seasons ago as a second-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Wilson learned from star tight end Tony Gonzalez.
He also learned by standing back and observing. The lesson being that sometimes, it's just as important to learn what not to do.
"I avoided the pitfalls," he said, "that I saw others fall into."
It's a lesson that stretches beyond the sideline, far beyond the football field.
Such was his message to those who packed the Palm Court in Willow Valley. It's a message aimed at youth, since the object of the fund-raiser — The Mix at Arbor Place — has a stated mission to meet the academic, social, spiritual and recreational needs of Lancaster's inner-city teens.
"The message is to help kids be successful," said Wilson, who is the founder of the Kris Wilson Foundation, which provides disadvantaged youth with learning, reading and literacy skills.
"We all take our lumps along the way. But you fight through them. Those are life lessons."
And they are applied to professional, as well as personal, lives.
Last January, Wilson and the Chargers endured a difficult lesson when they were upset by the New York Jets in the AFC playoffs.
"It was a disappointing end to a great season," Wilson said. "But the reality is that 31 (NFL) teams are going to end their season in disappointment.
"We had a great season, and there's no reason we can't get back to that level."
If the Chargers do, it will be without star running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who signed with the Jets on March 14.
"I could see it coming, it's the nature of the business," Wilson said of LT's departure from San Diego. "I think the Jets will be very pleased with his services. He's a leader in the clubhouse, an all-around great guy."
Wilson expressed similar thoughts about another NFL star who may soon be taking up new residence: Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
In his brief stay with the Eagles in the spring and summer of 2008, Wilson said he got to know McNabb, whom he considers to be one of the top QBs in the league.
"You have to be satisfied with his results," said Wilson, referring to McNabb's guiding the Eagles to five NFC championship games and a Super Bowl berth.
"The talent around him has come and gone. But he's led a great offense year in, year out."
Wilson, who turns 29 on Aug. 22, is looking to have an expanded role next season in San Diego's prolific offense. He said he recently signed a two-year contract extension, and along with seeing more playing time alongside Antonio Gates in the double tight end set, also expects to be a tutor of sorts to the young turks joining the team.
"It's been six years (in the NFL), and I've had my ups and downs," he said, then smiled.
"But I'm still here."
Indeed. Still the mentor.
Still the teacher.
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