Pirate football players share time, stories with Tara students

TARA — If there’s one thing Braden River junior lineman Sam Peacock learned during the Pirates bye week last week, it’s that he doesn’t plan on becoming an elementary school teacher anytime soon.

Peacock was one of a handful of players who read to students in Dehlia Garrity’s first-grade class Oct. 26, at Braden River Elementary before joining his entire team at Tara Elementary Oct. 27 to read to fourth- and fifth-grade students during the school’s Sports Day.

“It was different reading to fifth-graders and first-graders,” Peacock said. “The first-graders didn’t really understand, but the fifth-graders knew pretty much everything. I now know I never want to be an elementary school teacher because you have to be extra patient, but overall it was a good experience.”
Junior Austin Rain agreed.

“First-graders don’t make fun of you,” Rain said. “I felt like a good person (though). It was (interesting) to see how things have changed since I was in (elementary) school.”

Last year, about 10 players spoke to fourth- and fifth-graders at Braden River Elementary about the importance of academics. With the help of several of the players’ moms, Braden River planned a trip to Tara Elementary as a way for the players to learn the importance of giving back.

“It’s always been about them giving back,” coach Don Purvis said. “I did it as a player, and I know what it meant to me. It’s a positive experience all-around when they see how they’re role models to a lot of these kids who are watching them; and their behavior and how they act are accentuated when they leave.”

The experience was particularly memorable for nine-year-old Shanyce Sherman, who volunteered to read a book to the players and the rest of her classmates.

“I was happy because we’ve had special guests this week,” said Shanyce, who cheers for the Manatee Mustangs and likes watching football. “This is the best day of my life because football players came, and I wanted to show them that I could read better.”

As they walked through the halls and out of the school, the players recounted their experiences with one another. Some were mistaken for Tampa Bay Buccaneers players. Some were asked to sign autographs.

“I remember back when I was little and how it meant a lot to have guest speakers come in and talk to us,” Peacock said. “I think it’s a good experience for the kids and the players.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].