A member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders was in Estevan on Wednesday with an important message for students of Pleasantdale Elementary School. Dan Clark, offensive linesman with the team, has joined up with the Red Cross to present 'Imagine No Bullying'. Clark and other football players have been travelling around the province presenting to schools. 

"Today is all about empowering the youth and how they can make a healthy choice. They can help people not only in their school, community but anywhere to stand up for each other and help. They can use their power in a positive way. Make right choices. Especially the students, they are realizing that their choices will affect those around them and how other people view them."

Clark said that this message is personal one and he feels privileged to be able to share his story with the kids. 

"For myself, it's situations that I dealt with when I was a student. It made me realize that I could use the platform the Saskatchewan Roughriders have given me to be able to help out, especially a program like 'Imagine No Bullying'. It's an opportunity that the Red Cross has given us as football players to share with students."

He adds that it is exciting to see how students respond.

"At first when you bring in a slide, the kids right away think that it's going to be boring. Then you interact with them, you get to know them and they get to know you on a personal level. And then they start asking questions and start thinking. Then you tell your personal story and they see that it's not just them who are dealing with this. They see it's athletes or adults or anybody dealing with these issues. It allows them to be more open about and willing to talk about it. And that's something that makes them feel safe. 

He goes on to say that it is important for kids to realize that there are other people who have gone through the same situations they are going through now. 

"It's not just the students who are dealing with this, it's a 310 lbs lineman from the Saskatchewan Roughriders who has been in that situation. We want to let them know that they're not alone. They can ask for help. People will be there for them."

Clark, along with Spencer Moore, fullback with the Roughriders, will be touring schools across the province. Clark adds that he and Moore are looking forward to meeting as many students as possible.

"We go to schools all over the province, Last year we visited over 33,000 students. We're always out and about. We've been trying to get out more and push to visit every student in Saskatchewan. Spencer Moore will be visiting three schools around Saskatchewan as well."

After his message, Clark took questions from the group, then handed out autographs and posed for pictures.