News Release

NFL Players Trade in Helmets for Stovepipe Hats
To Promote Reading with Local Detroit Students

Players Make Major Announcement as Part of NEA's Read Across America

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- Hundreds of local schoolchildren had an XL Super Bowl treat today when they huddled with NFL players as part of the National Education Association's Read Across America celebration.

The homecoming of Detroit natives-turned-professional football players with the National Football League, proved to be reading inspiration to local students and provided a sneak peek to the upcoming NEA's Read Across America Day on March 2, which culminates every year on Dr. Seuss's birthday.

"As teachers, public school employees and parents, we know that kids who read -- and are read to -- do better in school and in life," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "NEA's Read Across America is a very special program because it gets children excited about reading, one of the most important foundations for students to achieve. We remind parents, teachers, children and the community that reading is indeed fun because you're never too old, too wacky, too wild to pick up a book and read with a child."

The celebrity read-ins at Leonhard Elementary, Eisenhower Elementary and Brace-Lederle K-8 Schools in Southfield, Mich., were sponsored by NEA, National Football League Players Association, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. and more than 50 other partner organizations. The year-long program, which is designed to get students excited about reading, has now grown into the nation's largest reading celebration with more than 45 million children and adults participating each year.

Detroit native Anthony Adams, a defensive end with the San Francisco 49ers and a Martin Luther King High School graduate, kicked off the day by reading Dr. Seuss books to elementary students wearing red and white striped stovepipe hats. Detroit Lions fullback Cory Schlesinger, who plans to enter into the teaching profession and coach high school football after retiring from the NFL, traded in his football helmet for the signature Seuss gear and joined the Cat in the Hat at one of today's read-ins.

Running backs T.J. Duckett and Tyrone Wheatley, of the Atlanta Falcons and the Oakland Raiders, respectively, set aside their Michigan State and University of Michigan rivalry to read with middle schoolers. Dave Rayner, also a Michigan State alumnus who just finished his rookie year as a kicker with the Indianapolis Colts, joined in the reading celebrations.

The read-ins also had a very special announcement. As part of this year's Read Across America Day activities, NEA is launching Books Across America, a nationwide reading and literacy program to provide books to public schools in need. In its inaugural year, Books Across America, along with its partners -- The NEA Foundation, First Book and The Heart of America Foundation -- will team up with NEA's Read Across America to host a Reading Relief Tour for Gulf Coast public schools.

NEA Executive Committee member Michael Marks, a high school dramatic arts and debate teacher from Hattiesburg, Miss., explained the significance of the new program, Books Across America, and its maiden voyage to replenish the public school libraries in the Gulf Coast.

"We all watched the destruction and chaos by the hurricanes unfold, and schools were a stabilizing factor for the children in the Gulf Coast region," said Marks. "Books play a key role in both rebuilding and moving forward from this tragedy, and this new program-Books Across America-will help keep the message of hope alive."

The tour will travel throughout the Gulf Coast region beginning in late February and a host of celebrities will conduct massive "book drop-offs" to provide much needed supplies of books to school libraries and students. Throughout the year, Books Across America will continue to raise money and collect books to send to the Gulf Coast region.

"The committed educators who are members of NEA dedicate their lives to inspiring children to become readers and life-long learners," said Kyle Zimmer, president of First Book, a partner organization of Books Across America. "First Book is proud to join their efforts by providing a steady supply of wonderful books to the children who need our help the most."

The schools also received a generous book donation from The Heart of America Foundation through a national program that gives children everywhere the tools they need to read, succeed and make the world a better place.

"Reading opens the doors of opportunity; yet, many children in poverty in the Detroit area and other parts of the country have little or nothing to read. The Heart of America Foundation is pleased to work with NEA's Read Across America initiative to contribute over 1,000 books with a value of $14,000 to children at the Southfield schools. Quite simply, children cannot read to learn until they learn to read," said Angie Halamandaris, president The Heart of America Foundation.

Jan. 31, 2006

For More Information, Contact:

Staci Maiers, NEA Public Relations, (202) 270-5333 cell

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.