TackleMeBen
11-11-2009, 08:52 AM
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten gives student contest winner a ride to school
03:29 PM CST on Tuesday, November 10, 2009
By EMILY FOX / The Dallas Morning News
Jason Witten is 0-2 in finding a Cowboys fan as part of the NFL’s Take a Player to School program. This year’s local contest winner is 9-year-old Trent Beamer — a Steelers fan whose bedroom is decorated in Pittsburgh black and gold.
Last year’s winner, Shane Wells, was a Denver Broncos fan.
But according to Brian Beamer, Trent’s dad, Witten was a good sport about the competition.
“Today, we’re definitely Cowboys fans,” Beamer said.
Witten picked up the fourth-grader and his family in a limo Tuesday and took them to Akin Elementary School in Wylie ISD. The Cowboys tight end was welcomed by screaming students and teachers chanting “Cowboys! Cowboys!”
Weaving around the fans shaking sparkling blue pompoms, Witten went straight up the middle of the crowd in the school cafeteria to speak about good health as part of the NFL Play 60 campaign. The program encourages youths to exercise at least an hour a day.
He answered questions about life as an NFL player. Then he helped present a $2,000 check from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund to the school’s physical education program. The NFL also donated fitness equipment to the school.
Trent said he originally read about the contest in Boys’ Life, the official youth magazine of the Boy Scouts of America. On Tuesday, he woke up, no alarms required, at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for school.
“I wish we could have a Dallas Cowboy come over every morning,” joked Jan Beamer, Trent’s mother.
Trent was outside on the front lawn by 7:15 a.m. though the limo wasn’t scheduled to arrive until just before 8. He was a bundle of excitement, his mother said. He couldn’t hold still and instead ran up and down the street until Witten arrived, she said.
“He was jumping up and down when I got there,” Witten said. “It was a great welcome.”
Following the school assembly, Witten joined Trent’s class in some fitness activities.
After trying to jump rope — and finding the kid-sized ropes a tad small for his 6’3” frame — Witten tossed footballs back and forth with students and taught them how to hold the ball while running. He autographed footballs for two girls who finished a running and jumping circuit with the fastest times.
Trent even challenged the pro football player to an impromptu race. He came in first and did an excited victory leap as he crossed the finish line with Witten just a leg behind.
By the end of the morning’s events, though, it was Witten who’d won — a new fan for the Cowboys.
When asked whether he was still a Steelers fan, Trent — who was wearing a No. 82 Cowboys jersey — said not anymore.
Vid link below
http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dall...vid=411936&emb (http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dallasnews/local_state/index.html?nvid=411936&emb)
03:29 PM CST on Tuesday, November 10, 2009
By EMILY FOX / The Dallas Morning News
Jason Witten is 0-2 in finding a Cowboys fan as part of the NFL’s Take a Player to School program. This year’s local contest winner is 9-year-old Trent Beamer — a Steelers fan whose bedroom is decorated in Pittsburgh black and gold.
Last year’s winner, Shane Wells, was a Denver Broncos fan.
But according to Brian Beamer, Trent’s dad, Witten was a good sport about the competition.
“Today, we’re definitely Cowboys fans,” Beamer said.
Witten picked up the fourth-grader and his family in a limo Tuesday and took them to Akin Elementary School in Wylie ISD. The Cowboys tight end was welcomed by screaming students and teachers chanting “Cowboys! Cowboys!”
Weaving around the fans shaking sparkling blue pompoms, Witten went straight up the middle of the crowd in the school cafeteria to speak about good health as part of the NFL Play 60 campaign. The program encourages youths to exercise at least an hour a day.
He answered questions about life as an NFL player. Then he helped present a $2,000 check from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund to the school’s physical education program. The NFL also donated fitness equipment to the school.
Trent said he originally read about the contest in Boys’ Life, the official youth magazine of the Boy Scouts of America. On Tuesday, he woke up, no alarms required, at 5:30 a.m. to get ready for school.
“I wish we could have a Dallas Cowboy come over every morning,” joked Jan Beamer, Trent’s mother.
Trent was outside on the front lawn by 7:15 a.m. though the limo wasn’t scheduled to arrive until just before 8. He was a bundle of excitement, his mother said. He couldn’t hold still and instead ran up and down the street until Witten arrived, she said.
“He was jumping up and down when I got there,” Witten said. “It was a great welcome.”
Following the school assembly, Witten joined Trent’s class in some fitness activities.
After trying to jump rope — and finding the kid-sized ropes a tad small for his 6’3” frame — Witten tossed footballs back and forth with students and taught them how to hold the ball while running. He autographed footballs for two girls who finished a running and jumping circuit with the fastest times.
Trent even challenged the pro football player to an impromptu race. He came in first and did an excited victory leap as he crossed the finish line with Witten just a leg behind.
By the end of the morning’s events, though, it was Witten who’d won — a new fan for the Cowboys.
When asked whether he was still a Steelers fan, Trent — who was wearing a No. 82 Cowboys jersey — said not anymore.
Vid link below
http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dall...vid=411936&emb (http://www.dallasnews.com/video/dallasnews/local_state/index.html?nvid=411936&emb)