10/12/2026
29-year-old professional football player, David Montgomery, didnโt get to where he is now by sitting on the sidelinesโฆ
When we say โsidelines,โ weโre talking about sports AND Scouting. A member of Troop 772 (a troop in Cincinnati), David fell in love with Scouting quickly. In time, he earned the highest and most revered rank โ status โ in 2014.
But, when David first joined , he was a bit nervousโฆthinking was not for people like him.
He quickly learned this fear was unwarranted โ from Pinewood Derby, to campouts, to earning plenty of Merit Badges in , to so much moreโฆDavid excelled in Scouting. Sitting on the sidelines was never an option.
โI definitely think itโs a form of fear because the thought of what everybody else around them would think,โ Montgomery explains in a recent AP article. โDefinitely think that plays a major role. So, I think me playing football and playing as long as I have and being a positive โฆ role model in regards to scouting, I definitely think it gives kids who look like me an opportunity to believe that thatโs something that they can do also.โ
Scouting helped shape exactly the man Montgomery is today. Now, with a son of his own (future Cub Scout, of course!), David sees Scouting as even more valuable.
โScouting gave me the right tools to make me understand whatโs really right and whatโs really wrong,โ David tells the AP.
Kids of all ages learn life skills, gain outdoor experience, discover new things, develop character, grow in the Scout Law and become prepared โ FOR LIFE โ in Scouting America programs.
Donโt let your child miss out. Find a Scouting unit near you in seconds at BeAScout.org.
