Marcus Mariota, the Oregon Ducks highly rated quarterback, and his teammates are scoring points off the field, too.

Mariota is featured in a story in The Oregonian that highlights his volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Club of Emerald Valley. Mariota and other UO football players regularly spend summer afternoons shooting pool and hanging out with youngsters looking for safe and fun after-school activities.

Although the visits are part of the UO Athletic Department’s O Heroes program, Mariota tells the newspaper he and his teammates enjoy the visits because the kids see them not as sports stars but simply as adults willing to play a game of tag or help with homework. Players typically visit the center once a week, although it’s more like once a month during football season.

Other players who stop by the center this year include fellow quarterback Jeff Lockie, former kicker Alejandro Maldonado, safety Erick Dargan, corner Troy Hill and about a half-dozen others, the article says. Many former Ducks who volunteered during their days as players also maintain their connections to the youth center.

The story, by UO sports reporter Andrew Greif, appears in the newspaper's June 4 edition.