Schools

Ravens Star Lights Up Grange Elementary

Ray Rice came to Dundalk Thursday, subbing for teammate Todd Heap, to celebrate the school's $10,000 grant for being named one of the NFL PLAY 60 Super Schools.

Waiting for Ray Rice’s arrival at Grange Elementary School Thursday afternoon, it was difficult to tell who was more excited—the kids, or the staff.

“I’d say it was a tie,” said Grange principal Rosie Daddura, smiling as both groups swarmed the Baltimore Ravens star in the school’s gymnasium.

Rice came to the school to congratulate students and staff for earning a $10,000 grant after being named one of the NFL PLAY 60 Super Schools, a joint campaign with the United Way that encourages young people to get 60 minutes of exercise each day.

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The school was one of only 34 nationwide—from more than 5,550 entrants—to receive the grant for winning Back to Football Friday, a joint campaign between the NFL and the United Way. To celebrate the start of the 2010 NFL season, fans were encouraged to demonstrate their passion for their favorite NFL team and their excitement for the upcoming season by planning a unique Back to Football Friday event for their school, all to support youth health and wellness.

Schools that entered the Back to Football Friday contest submitted photos of their event and answered brief essay questions.   

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Among the photos Grange submitted was an aerial photo of the student body spelling “RAVENS” while standing in formation outside the school, which they presented to Rice in a framed picture yesterday. They also presented him with a thick book of crayon drawings and essays from students about exercise, nutrition, their favorite Ravens, and their attempts to persuade fifth grade teacher Rich York, a Steelers fan, to see the light and change his affiliation.

Officially, the school received the $10,000 check during a December event at which tight end Todd Heap was scheduled to appear. However, Heap was injured in a game just prior to his appearance and could not attend. So, Rice was in effect, a sub for Heap.

Not that anyone seemed to mind.

“It’s so exciting,” said fifth-grader Aaron Harris, one of group of several students greeting Rice as he entered the school lobby. “It’s crazy.”

“Todd Heap couldn’t come because of his hamstring injury during football season, but Ray Rice is a good substitute,” said fifth-grader Cody Pusluski.

After the purple throng of students and staff—the entire school was outfitted in Ravens jerseys—settled down, Rice spoke about his own journey from high school football in New York, college football at Rutgers, and his still-burgeoning career in Baltimore.

Rice said he was honored to be at Grange, and in fact, the visit meant a lot to him.

“It’s a big day for you and it’s a big day for me,” Rice told his young audience, explaining that the invitation to meet with the students was an affirmation that his own hard work on the field and in the classroom, his respect for his mother, and "doing the right thing growing up” had kept him on the right path.

“My mom wouldn't let me play after school until my homework was done, but then she would have to beg me to come inside,” Rice said.

He told the kids that character is built by doing the right thing when people aren’t looking,  and doing things like making sure your homework is done whether someone checks up or not. Or now, in his case, eating right and training hard in the offseason when the coaches, fans and television cameras are not watching.

He asked the kids to promise that they would be diligent with their homework, and in return, he promised to give his best in every game next season.

"You can get by," Rice said, "but why not do your best?"

"No excuses," he added. "You won't hear any from me."

Rice took questions from the student representatives from each grade, and then stayed for another 45 minutes to lead a gym class.

The 24-year-old seemed to be having as much fun as the kids, joining in sprints and relay races, and participating in a football-throwing contest as students tried to toss a football through a basketball hoop. (Warning to defensive coordinators, the left-handed Rice proved rather adept at dropping the ball through the hoop from every distance.)

Throughout his 90-minute visit, the naturally playful Rice smiled, high-fived, hugged and joked with students.

“He was really great with the kids, really enthusiastic,” said Grange physical education teacher Jeff Tolson. “He’d make a great gym teacher when he’s done playing.”


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