CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — Two star athletes with roots in Chesterfield County brought home a message of making good decisions this week.
Jordan and Bradford Burgess, who grew up in Midlothian, visited teens at the Chesterfield County juvenile detention home Monday, and shared bits of wisdom learned on their journey to becoming elite athletes at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Bradford Burgess was a shooting guard at VCU from 2008 to 2012, and started every game during his career. Bradford has played professionally in Europe since graduating.
Two star athletes with roots in Chesterfield County brought home a message of making good decisions this week.
His brother, Jordan, a VCU forward, is about to start his senior year at VCU. He was a highly-sought recruit for the team, and has earned praise for his toughness and scoring abilities.
The brothers were invited to share their experiences with about 30 participants in the home’s Summer Enrichment Program, which is provided while county teachers are on summer vacation.
“We are so appreciative to the Burgess brothers for so graciously giving of themselves and their time,” said Marilyn Brown, director of juvenile detention. “The kids loved getting to interact with them on the court. It was great to see the kids letting down their guards a bit, having fun, and smiling.”
Two star athletes with roots in Chesterfield County brought home a message of making good decisions this week.
And the Burgess brothers said it felt good to give back to their community.
“It was great to see the kids smiling and enjoying each other and having a great time,” Bradford Burgess said. “Sports can be such a great outlet for kids and we wanted to come out here and have a good time and talk and hang out with these kids. We are from a lot of the same areas and have experienced the same things to an extent. We want them to know that anything is possible and just because you are in here doesn’t mean you aren’t going anywhere or that it is the end of the road.”
For Bradford and Jordan, giving back to the community has been instilled in them from an early age by their parents.
“[Giving back] has been a motto in our family and it is good to see them working in the community giving back,” said Myla Burgess, Bradford and Jordan Burgess’ mother.
Participants in the program said the Burgess brothers had an impact on them.
“I can’t believe they were willing to come here and play basketball with us,” one of the participants said. “They seem like really good people. I want to be like them when I get older.”
