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ESPN Takes Notice Of Bay Area Boy's Rayhawk

Tribune file photo by CHRIS URSO

The call from ESPN came after a wild week that began with the suspension and ended with Zachary meeting Rays players and coaches on Tropicana Field before Saturday’s game.

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By STEVEN GIRARDI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Zachary Sharples, the 12-year-old suspended from a Manatee County middle school for his Rayhawk hairdo, has moved to St. Petersburg, but he still can't dodge the spotlight.

The boy's story now has captured the attention of ESPN, which plans to feature Zachary as a guest on its "First Take" show at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

"They called last night about 10 o'clock," the boy's stepfather, Kevin Pennington said this morning. "They had my cell phone number. I don't even know how they got it."

That's the way it has gone for the family since Zachary gained widespread media attention after he received an in-school suspension at Lincoln Middle School in Palmetto on Oct. 6. His Rayhawk hairdo created an unnecessary distraction, the principal said.

If the national media buzz wasn't enough, on Saturday, Zachary, his parents, and 4-year–old brother packed up and moved from Ellenton to St. Petersburg.

Zachary started school at Tyrone Middle School on Monday, and this time his haircut was a hit. "He said everybody thinks it's really cool," Pennington said.

He said Zachary will do the ESPN show from the WEDU television studio in Tampa Wednesday morning, but he was awaiting more details.

The call from ESPN came after a wild week that began with the suspension and ended with Zachary meeting Rays players and coaches on Tropicana Field before Saturday's game, a game that lasted until nearly 2 a.m.

Rays player Jonny Gomes read about the boy and had the team invite him onto the field, where he gave him an autographed baseball bat, Pennington said.

The newfound celebrity has created a lot of commotion for the family, Pennington said, but Zachary is perfectly comfortable with it.

"He's easygoing. He's like, 'OK,'" Pennington said. "I don't think he realizes how big this story is. He has no problem being in front of a camera. I do; I start stuttering and everything."

Pennington, 40, said he actually was the first member of the family to get a Ray Rayhawk. Then came Zachary and even 4-year-old Kaden.

"The only who didn't is my wife [Jennifer]," Pennington said, "and I really tried to get her to do it, but she wouldn't."

He said he hasn't given up yet.

"World Series, she's getting it done," he said.

Reporter Steven Girardi may be reached at (727) 451-2333 or at sgirardi@tampatrib.com.

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