Toledo receiver Donta Greene played the hero's role in Saturday's 33-30 victory over Northern Illinois that puts the Rockets a win away from the MAC West Division crown.

But, to the kids at the Lucas County Juvenile Detention Center in Toledo, Greene is a hero everyday.

Greene spends part of every week at the facility counseling, listening and providing support to troubled youth.

Vilma Making A Difference On And Off The Field

There's no question Jonathan Vilma makes a difference on the field. The junior middle linebacker is the leading tackler on a Miami defense that has the Hurricanes on the verge of playing for a second consecutive national championship. Vilma also tries to make a difference off the field, where he piles up school speaking engagements like tackles. Most Mondays -- the only day Miami players get off during the season -- Vilma can be found talking to one group of kids or another. Vilma's rap ranges from staying off of drugs to tips on how to excel at the college level. "I do it because I remember a couple of people doing it for me and it really did impact me," said Vilma, who earned all-Big East honors last year for both his play and academics. "I feel if I have an opportunity to make a difference I should." Vilma takes his off-the-field work seriously. He knows that his words hold more weight for some kids than a similar speech from a teacher or even a parent. While some athletes balk at being viewed as examples, Vilma relishes being one. "Whether we want to be or not, we are role models," Vilma said. "That's just the situation. You're not going to change everybody's life, but if you can make even a small difference, it's worth it." Vilma admits he doesn't know if he's had an impact on anyone, but he likes to think so. Vilma said he especially likes to get in front of elementary-age children; because they are often the most receptive. The youngest kids, Vilma said, are "more interested in the football part of it and me being on TV." Vilma uses that to grab their attention for more serious matters. "I like to talk mainly to the kids because that's when you can make the most impact, when they're young," Vilma said. "I just like to let them know what I've been through and what they can do to be where they want to be in life." Where Vilma wants to be is back in the national championship game. He's doing his share by turning in another standout season. Through 10 games, Vilma has 99 tackles for a squad that ranks seventh nationally in total defense. The son of Haitian immigrants, Vilma is also making quick progress towards a finance degree. On and off the field, Vilma is making a difference. "That's the way I live my life," Vilma said. "It's not difficult for me to try to set an example." -- Jorge Milian

"A lot of the kids come from one-parent homes," Greene said. "Some of the kids' parents don't want to accept them, even the ones they're living with. They feel alone. They have nobody there to love them or care for them and guide them to which way they should go."

Greene has been there.

Robin Greene raised Donta and his younger brother and sister by herself, working hard to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

That provided Donta plenty of free time to get himself into trouble, which is exactly what he did.

"I had to learn by trial and error," said Greene, who is working on his master's degree in special education. "I kind of know what these young men are going through. Sometimes you need someone to reach out and really guide you in the right direction. I had a few people do that for me."

That's inspired Greene to give back. As part of his master's program, Greene is required to spend two hours weekly at the detention center. Greene does that and goes back another day each week as a volunteer.

Counseling is a big part of his work, but Greene also tutors in math, reading and writing.

"I try to get the kids motivated, to let them know just because they're down there, their opportunities are not over," said Greene, a native of Springfield, Ohio. "People like myself can give these kids an opportunity instead of shutting the door on them."

Greene said being a football player gives him credibility with the kids, but advises them not to think of sports as their sole avenue to success.

"I don't want them to think athletics is the only way to do something with their lives, because it's not," Greene said. "There's other things -- a lawyer, doctor or whatever it may be. It's not just sports. I don't want them to get wrapped up in a dream they may not be able to fulfill."

Bill Hayes, the program training coordinator at the detention center, calls Greene "a real class act."

Hayes, who also played for Toledo as an offensive lineman from 1964-66, says that Greene is making an important contribution.

"Donta gives a lot to these kids," Hayes said. "He can tell them, 'Look, we come from a similar background, and I've used my God-given talents to overcome a lot of obstacles in my life.' He relates to them very well on that level."

Greene hasn't let obstacles impede his way off the field, or on the field.

Despite standing only 5-foot-7, Greene will become Toledo's all-time receiving leader with two catches in Saturday's regular-season finale against Bowling Green.

Greene enters the critical showdown against the Falcons with 174 career receptions, one catch behind the standard set by Mel Long Jr. (1997-2000).

Greene may have made the biggest reception of his career last Saturday, grabbing a short swing pass from quarterback Brian Jones and turning it into a game-winning 26-yard touchdown with 41 seconds remaining.

Strangely, it was Greene's first touchdown catch since scoring against Navy on Oct. 28, 2000 -- a span of 26 games.

"I just play my role and that's to try to keep the chains moving," said Greene, second on the Rockets this season with 51 receptions for 576 yards. "Catching balls and putting our team in position to score is gratifying too. As long as we win games, that's the ultimate goal."

What little free time Greene has after school and football, he spends involved with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Greene serves as a big brother to an 11-year-old boy named Malcolm.

"He's a terrific kid," Greene said. "He talks to me about his problems or whatever is going on with him and I try to give him good advice like a big brother would."

Greene said he hopes to eventually open up a group home for boys.

"Donta is a special person," said Toledo coach Tom Amstutz. "He's a young man that has a passion to help other people. That's a great thing to have."

Jorge Milian covers college football for the Palm Beach Post.