Xplorers players visit M.R. Dye Public Library
July 14, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
HORN LAKE-Memphis Xplorers wide receiver Kevin Prentiss visited M.R. Dye Public Library in Horn Lake on Wednesday, July 14, where he read to children in the library's summer reading program.
Prentiss introduced himself by telling the children how he came to play for the Xplorers.
"I started playing football in the fourth grade," Prentiss said. "At first football wasn't my favorite sport, but it got me into college at Mississippi State. I liked baseball a whole lot. But I kept playing through high school, and had a pretty good career at Mississippi State. I played in Canada and in the N.Y. Giants and Indianapolis Colts NFL camps, as well as the Carolina Cobras arena football camp before coming to Memphis."
Prentiss read "Little Granny Quarterback," a book about an older woman who dreams of returning to her glory days as a football quarterback. She overcomes her fear of playing again and scores a touchdown.
The children had many questions for Prentiss, including how many touchdowns he's made (33), his travels, and injuries. "Has anyone on the team ever gotten hurt?" one child asked.
"Actually, I got hurt last year," Prentiss said. "I broke my leg on the field during a game."
"Are you okay?" asked another child.
"Yeah, I'm okay now," he said, smiling.
Prentiss brought out a bag of Xplorers game equipment and pads for several children to try on, including a pair of size 17 turf shoes.
"That person's got a big ol' foot," one youngster exclaimed.
After autographing Xplorers schedule magnets for the children and donating the book to the library, Prentiss and the children headed out to the city park directly behind the library. Each child had the opportunity to catch and throw the football several times with Prentiss before it was time to go.
"It's important for us as athletes to give back to the community," Prentiss said. "You never know when you might inspire one child to do better than their circumstances."
The Xplorers can next be seen at M.R. Davis Public Library on July 19 at 11 a.m. and Cornelia Crenshaw Library in Memphis at 2 p.m. the same day.
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