Owasso Character Coins Make It To The Football Field

Off-the-field issues have captured the football spotlight recently. In light of Adrian Peterson's child abuse charge and Ray Rice's suspension for domestic violence, one Green Country team says molding players into model citizens is just as important as developing elite athletes.

Starting this season, a character coin is being tossed at every home game in Owasso.

"We have it here - Owasso won," a referee said.

"It's really highlighting the positive in our school system and in our community and we just want to highlight it here," said Ken Grant, Waterstone Private Wealth Management.

The character coin program started more than eight years ago. Passing on a character coin is like saying "thank you."

6/2/2014 Related Story: Owasso Business Owners Re-Launching 'Character Coins' Program

Owasso High School Principal Matt Roberts says the coins are creating a positive impact on his students.

"Whenever a young person makes a difference - whether it is helping out another student in need, an adult in need, turning in a cell phone or whatever the case maybe - I think they appreciate being recognized for that and they should be," he said.

Program founder Ken Grant is happy to see the coins have caught on.

"It's humbling to be a part of character coin and to ever receive one, if someone ever recognizes you and says, 'thanks for making an impact on my life,' it moves you, and then to get to do that to someone else is even greater," Grant said.

Owasso Head Coach Bill Patterson says the coins help reinforce what it means to demonstrate good character.

"We have a responsibility as teachers and coaches to try to help these young men become, you know, good citizens and good parents, good fathers, good husbands and help them be productive in our society as they grow older," Coach Patterson said.

Patterson believes there are far more players at the high school, college and the professional level doing things the right way and making good choices.

"It's just a reminder, it's just a way to emphasize what we're trying to accomplish," he said.