Xplorers players visit Hernando Public Library
June 16, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
HERNANDO, Miss.âThe Memphis Xplorers visited the Hernando Public Library on Wednesday, where they read a book to children, answered questions, allowed the children to try on game gear and signed autographs.
Quarterback Michael Wall and offensive specialist Kevin Prentiss took turns reading "Little Granny Quarterback," a story about an old woman who loves football and plays one last game to help her team to glory.
"Should she quit? Should she give up her dream? Is Granny too old for the football team?" Wall said, reading.
"Yeah," one of the children said loudly.
Several children modeled different parts of the uniform: helmet, shoulder pads, jersey, pants and a very remarkable size 17 pair of football cleats. One 5-year-old slipped off his size two Spiderman tennis shoes and wiggled into the cavernous cleats.
"Wow! These are so big when I jump in the air my feet come right out!" he said.
The children had the opportunity to ask the players questions. "What inspired you to play football?" asked Kristen Black, 9.
"I had two older brothers," Wall said. We were always competing in the backyard. I had an older brother that played football, and so that helped. I grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm a big Steelers fan."
"Me too!" Kristen said.
"That's what I like to hear," Wall said.
The guys talked about the importance of attending college. Prentiss, who attended Mississippi State University, mentioned the N.F.L.'s emphasis on college education. It's the only league that requires participants to have had at least two years of college before playing. Wall, who has an undergraduate degree and a master's degree in history, talked about life after football.
"You have to be educated to do something," Wall said. "You can't just wake up one day and do something. You have to go to high school first and then to college. It was in college at University of Tulsa that I learned how to be a teacher and a coach, which is what I want to do someday."
After the appearance, Black lined up with the other children to get both players' autographs.
"I'm a huge Steelers fan," she said. "I really like football. I've been to two Xplorers games and I hope I get to go to another one."
For his part, Wall said the afternoon was enjoyable.
"It was entertaining to get out there and talk to the kids and see the looks on their faces," he said. "I think it's extremely important for athletes to work in the community for a couple of reasons. One, it's good to do nice things for the kids and to give something back to them, and two, to promote the team in a positive way. It's important for the community to see that we care about them and we are involved."
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