Ex-running back Wilson inspires Citi Kids

Citi held its final Citi Kids event of the 2014 season at Citi Field on Monday, Aug. 18, prior to the New York Mets hosting the Chicago Cubs. Nearly 150 students ages 11-14 from the United Neighborhood Houses gathered in the Citi Auditorium to hear the inspirational story of recently retired New York Giants running back David Wilson.

Citi Kids participated in a special tour of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.

Wilson, 23, discussed his career as a professional football player, which was cut short by a serious neck injury, and charged the young audience to "keep going, no matter the obstacles you encounter."

Wilson also announced his intention to return to Virginia Tech to receive his bachelor's degree and train for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics Games in the triple jump.

Now in its sixth season, Citi Kids is an educational and motivational community-based initiative for New York City middle and high school students developed by Citi in collaboration with the New York Mets and the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Erin Hamlin poses with her bronze medal.

This season's Citi Kids program was a five-part series that provided 750 students from the YMCA of Greater New York and the United Neighborhood Houses the opportunity to participate in a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda by Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars and tickets to a Mets game.

In addition to Wilson, the 2014 Citi Kids special guests included:

• Erin Hamlin: Olympic bronze medalist

• Geno Smith: New York Jets quarterback

• Marcus Samuelsson: Celebrity chef and TV

• Tim Hardaway Jr.: New York Knicks guard