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NFL Players Compete With SpongeBob At School Breakfast

Tribune photo by JOSH POLTILOVE

SpongeBob SquarePants and six NFL players came to Roland Park School today to teach students the importance of proper nutrition and exercise.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2009

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick returner Clifton Smith isn't the biggest player, yet the undrafted free agent worked his way into a starting role and earned his way into the Pro Bowl.

Smith has overcome a lot, and he has earned himself a lot of fans. But it's going to be pretty difficult for him to ever become more popular than SpongeBob SquarePants.

Smith and five other NFL players came in to a crowded lunchroom at Roland Park School today, eager to speak about the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. The students cheered mightily.
Then SpongeBob entered, waving his arms and smiling. The children took notice.

"When SpongeBob came in the room, the kids hurt my eardrums they were cheering so loud," Smith said.

The event was part of the "NFL Play 60 Character Breakfast."

NFL Play 60 is the league's health and fitness campaign for children. Its goal is to combat childhood obesity and encourage children to be active at least 60 minutes a day.

Roland Park, a K-8 school at 1510 N. Manhattan Ave., was chosen for the event because it is making a strong effort to improve standardized test scores and because many of its students come from low-income families, said David Krichavsky, director of community affairs for the NFL.

"When we come into a host community for the Super Bowl, we want to make sure we reach out to all parts of the community," Krichavsky said. "Particularly those parts that might not otherwise experience the touch and feel of the Super Bowl."

Tampa Bay Buccaneer Phillip Buchanon, Indianapolis Colt Keiwan Ratliff, New York Jet Tony Richardson, Cleveland Brown Nick Sorensen and Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten also attended the event.

"Boys and girls, these guys are studs, these guys are great athletes, and it didn't just happen," Principal Dave Burgess told the students.

After speaking with students about the need for exercise and healthy eating, several of the players then went outside with the students and performed physical exercises.

Witten performed jumping jacks and pushups along with Roland Park students.

"I hope they learn about nutrition. I hope they learn about exercise," Witten said. "But more importantly, I hope they learn how important school is and believing in your dreams."

Fifth-grader Sandy Jara-Martinez, 12, said students learned how important it is to stay active and eat healthy food.

She said she had a great time.

One of the best parts, she said, was seeing SpongeBob. She said she understands why the students gave him the biggest cheers.

"Everybody likes SpongeBob. That's their favorite character," she said. "I don't really watch football."

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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