Dutton, Fitzgerald making most of offseason
Published on August 16, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Once the ball reaches an AFL quarterback's hands, a quick decision needs to be made.
Two John's - Fitzgerald of the Austin Wranglers and Dutton of the Colorado Crush - have made thousands of split-second decisions on the field. But it's their decisions off the field that are proving to be equally as important this offseason.
Dutton and his wife, Terina, spent parts of this off-season in Ethiopia working through the Dutton Foundation (duttonfoundation.org) with an orphanage to improve conditions for workers and children. The orphanage is located approximately one hour outside of Ethiopia's capital city of Addis Ababa, where the couple stayed for five days.
The Duttons were inspired by their pastor to help the cause and make life better for the children who live at the orphanage. "It was obviously a completely different world and culture than what my wife and I are used to," he said. "My wife had always talked about doing a project in Africa so when our pastor mentioned this orphanage to us it was something we were immediately intrigued by."
Dutton spent his time meeting employees, getting a feel for the area and finding out exactly what type of help the orphanage needs the most.
Since returning to the United States, the Duttons have received thanks and requests for more help and are happy to oblige. "We have people at the orphanage calling or emailing us three or four times a week telling us what they need and how much they need," he said.
As a result of their work, Dutton's two sons, Zachary and Drew, will soon have an older brother as John and Terina are in the process of adopting an 11-year-old-child named Meki from the orphanage. The Duttons plan on bringing him to the United States in the near future.
Dutton will continue to be active in the Colorado community as well. "I would really like to start a Big Brothers type program here in the Denver area where kids at risk would have good role models who would call them three or four times a week," he stated. "We would also have get togethers throughout the year."
Fitzgerald, who graduated from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science degree, is also making the most of his summer by completing medical school prerequisites Organic Chemistry and Structural Biology at Austin Community College.
Earning his medical degree would make Fitzgerald part of the medical community that already includes some relatives. "My father and brother are emergency room physicians," he said. "But I think I'd like to stay involved in sports in some capacity."
Fitzgerald is realistic about his future and the 31-year old knows his gridiron career won't last forever. "I love football and I've been playing professionally for seven years," he explained. "Realistically I will be able to go to med school five years from now but I don't think I could play football five years from now."
Getting such a late start in medicine isn't uncommon. In fact, the elder Fitzgerald took the same course of action. "I look at my dad as a role model because he didn't graduate from med school until he was 40," Fitzgerald offered. "I was in high school and my brother was in college when he finally did graduate. I saw first hand all those sacrifices he had to make in order to follow his dream."
Fitzgerald, who grew up in Seminole, Oklahoma would like to continue his medical school pursuits in either his home state or his adopted home in the Lone Star State. "Ideally I'd like to go to med school either here in Texas or back home in Oklahoma but frankly I would go anywhere they take me," he mused.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 16, 2006
- The OSC Interview: Philadelphia Soul GM Rich Lisk - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Dutton, Fitzgerald making most of offseason - AFL I
- Rampage Unveil "Rampage Rambler" - Grand Rapids Rampage
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