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7th-Graders Get Into The Action With 3 Bucs

Tribune photo by JIM REED

Dominick Estremera gets to level a tackling dummy as part of a football practice drill for students at Liberty Middle School

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By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2009

TAMPA - Gym class just got a whole lot cooler at Liberty Middle School.

Dozens of seventh-graders rushed to the New Tampa school's gym this afternoon for a chance to run drills with three members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Byron Storer, Geno Hayes and Clifton Smith.

The visit was part of "What Moves You," a National Football League-sponsored fitness competition among students from Liberty and several other area schools.

"Anything out of the ordinary excites them, but to have professional athletes at school, that's cool," said physical education teacher Jessica Rosquette.

The active but not too-serious activities included agility drills, obstacles and a chance to try to annihilate a yellow tackling dummy. Boys and girls lobbed passes, tumbled and laughed through most of the activities with the Bucs players.

Dominick Estremera, 12, said he never met a professional football player. Today, he met — and broke a run — past Smith, a rookie kick and punt returner who is headed to the Pro Bowl in February.

"It's so cool," Dominick said with a huge grin on his face. "It's a new experience."

The students also heard how the Bucs players struggle sometimes maintaining healthy eating habits, just like kids do. Especially when it comes to vegetables. Hayes, a rookie linebacker, likes asparagus and broccoli — as long as there's cheese on them.

Today's visit leads up to the Bucs' second annual "What Moves U" fitness challenge on Feb. 20. Ten students from six area middle schools will compete, and each school will receive a monetary donation from the Bucs.

The competition is part of "Play 60," a fitness and wellness partnership with the NFL, the American Heart Association and other groups. It encourages children to exercise 60 minutes a day to reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease.

Student Ashley Wilson said her friends who eat poorly and don't exercise enough might listen to nutrition and wellness advice from celebrities.

"I think they'll be more inclined to do it because of the Bucs," she said.

Reporter Mary Shedden can be reached at 813-259-7365.

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