"Lead by example." Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson inspires kids to excel.

Being an NFL player, I know how much my actions can influence young people, how much they look up to me. I'm proud to be a role model, and I always try to be on my best behavior and lead by example.

The game plan: The National Football League is now the official on-air teammate for USA WEEKEND's Make A Difference Day. This autumn, you've been reading inspirational words from some ofthe NFL's biggest superstars in this magazine. You can catch messages about Make A Difference Day on NFL Network's Total Access, during a game broadcast and on NFL.com. To learn more about the NFL's commitment to making a difference off the field and to get active in your community, visit jointheteam.com. Come back in two weeks for essays from Super Bowl champ Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers and shutdown cornerback Champ Bailey of the Denver Broncos.

My King of the Field-The Derrick Johnson Foundation raises money for scholarships and other programs for at-risk kids, including a safe place for them to play. Last October, for "Hometown Huddle," the NFL/United Way annual day of service, we worked with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and KaBOOM! to construct a playground for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. I had more than 200 volunteers come out -- moms, dads, kids -- and put the playground together in one day.

I even got to play with some of the kids after the playground was built. Sometimes the kids get attached to me and tell me, "I wish I could come home with you. I wish you could stay forever." They see me on TV, so for me to come out in real life and hang out with them, it's cool.

We're pumped about building a second playground this Tuesday in a different part of town. I recently met with the kids -- my "playground experts" -- and asked them to draw what they wanted on their playground. They had everything -- from elevators to sand pits to slides to monkey bars. It was the whole nine yards! We had fun with that, but we also let them know that we were planning to build this thing in one day and that we needed their help.

Children all over this country need help, and that's one of the many ways that you can take action on Make A Difference Day. If you can't build a playground, then you can collect school supplies or winter coats or have a library book drive. Identify a need and start to fix it.

You'll be amazed how much good you can do -- and, even more, how good you'll feel doing it.

-- By Derrick Johnson