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Pro Football Great Has New A Goal: Inspire Local Kids

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

mbearden@tampatrib.com

Published: January 27, 2009

Heisman Trophy winner and All-Pro wide receiver Tim Brown retired from professional football in 2004 with enough laurels to fill a room.

But he's not resting on them.

For the seventh year, Brown is coming to the Super Bowl host city to visit schools with a motivational pep rally. He aims to cheer on students to focus on "purpose, education and community."

"There's so much glitz and glamour that comes with the Super Bowl," says Brown, who lives in Dallas. "So we wanted to put some of that attention on something positive, something lasting that will make a difference in the lives of kids."

The event offers NFL players the chance to contribute something meaningful to communities; he acknowledges the NFL needs to produce more role models.

A one-time Oakland Raider who played his final NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown came up with the idea for the annual Take A Stand event with Raiders team chaplain Adam Ybarra in 2002.

Described as an urban, multimedia program, it takes place during assembly period. Schools hosting Take A Stand include Middleton High and Sligh Middle today, Chamberlain High and Leto High on Wednesday, and Blake High on Thursday.

"Because we're working in the public schools, we're not allowed to talk about God," he says. "But we hint around enough so they get the idea."

At the final Take A Stand event, openly addressing God won't be an issue. It takes place 7 p.m. Friday at Calvary Baptist Church, 110 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. That free event will feature motivational talks, entertainment and product giveaways by Brown, Kenyon Coleman of the New York Jets, Grammy Award winner Jamie Jones (lead singer of All-4-One), gospel artist Faith Michelle and Deezer D, of television's "ER."

Although he was raised a Christian, Brown admits that his lifestyle didn't always match up to his rhetoric. He didn't drink or smoke, but "I wasn't living right." So in his late 20s, he "recommitted to the Lord," and found the guideposts he needed to be true to his principles.

"The first year after that in the locker room was challenging," he says. "I know people were expecting me to give it up. But with the Lord's help, I got stronger and it got easier."

Since retiring, Brown has dedicated himself to Take a Stand and other charitable efforts.

"I've been blessed and I just want to give it back," he says.

Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613.

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