Brett Dietz, TOm Kaleita and Tyrone Timmons Participate in the Great American Teach-In

Published on November 19, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa - The Great American Teach-In is a part of an annual American Education Week celebration. Wednesday, November 19 Brett Dietz and Tom Kaleita visited Seminole Middle School (Seminole, FL) and Tyrone Timmons visited McLane Middle School (Brandon, FL).

The GATI is an opportunity for students to have a new teacher for either one class or the entire day. Schools have individuals from their surrounding community talk to the students about different careers, occupations, hobbies, sports, travels and other area of interest.

"This is a great opportunity to reach out and not only teach kids about Arena Football, but to stress to them the importance of education," said Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Brett Dietz. "Many of the kids see sports as an opportunity in the future but you have to take care of your education to keep that opportunity available."

Throughout the day Dietz and Kaleita spoke to approximately 500 students showing highlight clips, dressing students up in shoulder pads and a helmet and more importantly spoke about taking advantage of opportunities when they arrive. Kaleita stressed to the middle school students four keys to his success: education, dedication, relocation and to have a 'Plan B'. He explained how education helped to create the opportunity to play college football; dedication through hard work helped him excel on the field; flexibility to relocate opened new doors and having a 'Plan B' allowed him to be aggressive in going after his dream of playing professional football.

Timmons hit on some of the same themes when he spoke to the students at McLane Middle School as he expressed the importance of education. "There are some great athletes at [McLane], but at this age they don't comprehend the percentages of making it to the professional level," said wide receiver Tyrone Timmons. "I want to make sure they understand how important it is to not only get a degree, but to maintain their grades now so they can get into college."

Timmons went on to explain that before playing for the Tampa Bay Storm he had quit his job to sign with an NFL team. However the NFL team cut him and he was not able to get his old job back. He told the class that he was fortunate to have his degree to fall back on and was able to get a new job.

The Tampa Bay Storm look forward to next season with many key players from 2008 returning. All-Arena defensive lineman Tim McGill, quarterback Brett Dietz, wide receivers Hank Edwards and Tyrone Timmons among others will be back to take the 2009 AFL season by storm. For 2009 Storm season ticket information please call 813.301.6600.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 19, 2008


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