Contact: Staci Maiers  (202) 822-7823 

January 31, 2007

NFL Players Swap Helmets for Stovepipe 'Reading' Hats

Super Bowl XLI Plays Host to 10 years of NEA's Read Across America

Fantasy football became a classroom reality today for hundreds of local schoolchildren when they huddled with NFL players as part of the kick off for the National Education Association’s Read Across America 10th anniversary celebration.

The greater Miami area, host to Super Bowl XLI, was the playing field for National Football League players who traded in their helmets for red and white striped stovepipe hats and provided some reading inspiration to local students.

“Professional athletes can connect with kids in a unique way,” said NEA President Reg Weaver.  “Through programs like NEA’s Read Across America, we have found a reading remedy that makes it a fun activity—like sports.  And when we take the love for the game and apply that passion and enthusiasm toward reading, that’s when the magic really starts to happen.”

NFL players set aside their team rivalries and got into the reading game by visiting Sea Castle Elementary School in Miramar, Miami Springs Middle School in Miami Springs, and Miami Jackson Senior High School in Miami. On hand for the celebrity reads-ins were Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Donnie Spragan and defensive tackle Fred Evans, and tight end Ben Troupe with the Tennessee Titans.  The athletes joined the Cat in the Hat to rev up reading enjoyment—and imaginations.

The reading road trip was sponsored by NEA, the National Football League Players Association, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. and more than 50 other national partner organizations. Each of the schools received a generous book donation from The Heart of America Foundation, a partner of NEA’s Books Across America, which is designed to provide books and resources to replenish public school libraries in need. 

Now in its 10th year, NEA’s Read Across America is a year-round program that is designed to get students excited about reading. With more than 45 million children and adults participating each year, it has grown into the nation’s largest reading celebration with activities culminating on March 2, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.

# # #

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional
employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired
educators and students preparing to become teachers.