As a pediatrician who has listened to thousands of children cry over the fathers they never knew, I know how critical it is to our children to be impacted by great dads. NFL Player Engagement’s Fatherhood Initiative is about engaging NFL players on the subject of parenting, and using their stories to provide inspiration and tools for all men—in the locker room and beyond—to be great fathers.

Though it may seem unlikely on the surface, I see the NFL as the best place to start. If the men who are revered and admired by all other men came forward to set the standard for good parenting, imagine the impact that could have. Furthermore, the NFL is a great place to start because it’s already loaded with good men. Sure, these athletes are fast, tough, strong, and superb as athletes, but from the players I met, being great at their sport pales in comparison to the other gifts they have.

I want to encourage men to step up and be the hero their kids need them to be. While playing in the NFL is an amazing blessing for any man, these men will attest that being a dad is even a greater…