Tim Green, former NFLbrplayer and best-selling author, visited Dragon Country today to speak tobrstudents at Dawson and Eubanks about the power of education and reading.
Green was anbraward-winning NFL defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons for eight years. Whilebrhe played in the NFL, he also studied law and launched a writing career. Afterbrwriting more than a dozen books for adults, Tim began a series of best-sellingbrnovels for children. The books are set in the world of sports and are based onbrTim's experiences as an athlete and a coach.
When students begin a newbrbook, Green encouraged them to give it five chapters. If they don't love it,brput it down. “Unless it's a school assignment,” he said, with a laugh. “Booksbrshould be enjoyed.”
Green discussed his earlybrlove of sports—especially football. “I worked hard. I'd run until I threw up. Ibrdidn't stop,” he said. “I'm running, lifting and practicing.”
But he also had a passionbrfor education, always striving to be an A student. And most of the time he was,brGreen told the students. “Everything the teacher said, I'd take down,” he said.br“I worked as an athlete and I worked as a student.”
And anytime he had thebrchance, Green had a book in his hands. “When I was riding the bus, I wasbrreading a book. If I finished my lunch early, I was reading a book. In thebrlocker room, I was reading a book,” he said to the students. “If you don't lovebrbooks, you're one book away from knowing what I'm talking about. Once youbrexperience a great book, you go out and seek another one. And when you find it,bryou'll say: This is the book!”
In his presentation,brGreen shared his career journey with students. He became a lawyer afterbrretiring from football in 1994, and he also began working as a televisionbrbroadcaster for FOX NFL Sunday and other shows.
It all comes back to abrgood education, he told students. “I love what education has done for me and mybrfive kids,” Green said. “Education is freedom, power, opportunity and choices.”