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Former NFL player & author visits GMS: tells students “Books are exercise for the brain”
by Kathy Moses
Gouverneur Middle School students were treated last week to a visit from author, lawyer, and former professional NFL player Tim Green.
He is listed as a New York Times best-selling author and played linebacker for four years and defensive end for four years with the Atlanta Falcons.
He was also an All-American for Syracuse University, where he received a degree in English Literature in 1986 and attended law school not to mention he was an NFL first round draft pick.
His books, written for young teens, includeFootball Genius, Football Hero, Football Camp, The Big Time, Deep Zone, Unstoppable, Perfect Season, Baseball Great, Rivals, Best of the Best, Pinch Hit, Force Out,andNew Kid.
Champion NFL Coach Bill Parcell described Mr. Green’s books as, “As close as you can get to the NFL action without putting on the pads. Filled with excitement, suspense – and great football.”
Mr. Green, a native of Liverpool, visits about 100 schools a year around the country. He uses his fees to purchase books for schools and libraries.
“It’s all about reading,” said Mr. Green adding, “We didn’t have to buy books. Libraries cost only the time. When reading, don’t feel like when you start a book that you have to finish it. If you started it and read only five chapters and you didn’t love it, I wouldn’t want you to keep going, unless, of course, it was homework.”
He continued with more on his love of reading.
“I’ve read thousands of books. I got here today from my love of reading. My two passions were sports and books. My dreams were to be in the NFL and be a best-selling author.”
As with anything in life, Mr. Green’s advice to those pursing any dream is to keep at it.
“There is no substitute for work. Anything you want to be or accomplish in this life takes work,” he said.
“When talking about work, get excited. Athletes have an advantage. They understand work. If you’re going to succeed in any sport, you’re going to have to work. The same is true for music and drama. Athletes must apply work to academics and number one to character. I coach my kids in sports, but they are subordinate to education.”
Though he was an avid reader, he admitted that school wasn’t a cake walk.
“No one hated homework more than me, but I did it. I would grind that stuff out. I’d sit in the front row in class. I was dialed in to the teacher just like the coach on the football field. I put in the same effort. When friends said ‘dude, give it a rest’, it had no effect on me. It bounced right off of me. I was there to learn and get better.”
Mr. Green was recruited by every major college team, including Alabama, Penn State, Notre Dame, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale.
He said, “I was a good athlete with an A average. I was not recruited because I was the smartest person in the room. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who would outwork me. Education is more important than sports, even if you make it in professional sports.”
His message was simple: “The more you educate yourself, the more choices you have.”
He lent thought to the phrase the higher you climb, the farther you fall: “The higher you go in professional sports, the farther you will fall and you will. What catches you when you fall is your education. It doesn’t matter if you get a PhD or become a licensed electrician. This is your proving ground here. The next level is high school then trade school or college. The reason is not the money, it’s choices. Education creates value for you. The better you are the more people want you. There is something in my home more important than report cards or test scores. It is who you are – your character, your tolerance for who people are on the inside, your generosity, and your forgiveness. We all need to be forgiven, because we all make mistakes.
Among his favorite character trait was kindness.
“Most important to me is kindness. It’s so simple and so elusive,” he said.
“Be kind, not just to your best friends, favorite teacher or coach, relative, or best player on the team. Kindness is also for people you don’t know, like the new kid with a speech impediment, someone of a different religion, lonely, in a wheelchair, or sick. True kindness is not just for people you like. You will be rich if you can be kind. If there is one other human being you love so much you would jump in front of a bus for, that’s richness. Character gets this in your life. Be kind, forgiving, caring, and tolerant.”
Mr. Green advocated that reading is extremely important, and well worth anyone’s time. It may also take some practice…like football.
“Books are exercise or weightlifting for your brain. Students who read get smarter. Include books in your life. I read all the time. If you do this over time you will get smarter. One weight training does not make you ready for the NFL. I read books, because I love them. They are powerful.”
Mr. Green specifically described a couple of his books that help readers learn empathy for those who are different, such as the cancer victim undergoing chemotherapy in his bookUnstoppable.
He explained that knowing what the character went through would help readers treat similar victims differently.
He encouraged the students to talk to those who are different. He said, “They will look at you with surprise and gratitude.”
Mr. Green then read a chapter from the book. The story and his story telling were intense and exciting. He explained his chapters are about two to four pages each. He said at the end of chapters, “It leaves you thinking ‘let me find out what happens next’.”
Mr. Green took questions from the students in the audience, and later held a book signing for those who had purchased his books.
He said that his first book took him five years to write, the second book took two years, the third book took one year, and now he writes two books a year. His books are also available in audio form. For more information visitwww.timgreenbooks.com.
Mr. Green thanked Gouverneur Middle School and High School Media Specialist and Librarian Mary Dixon for arranging the event. He said, “She’s a great librarian!” He asked for a big round of applause to honor her.
Mr. Green has worked as an attorney in the energy field. He is opening a new criminal law practice with two other former assistant district attorneys. He lives with his wife and five children in Skaneateles, New York.
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by Kathy MosesGouverneur Middle School students were treated last week to a visit from author, lawyer, and former professional NFL player Tim Green.
He is listed as a New York Times best-selling author and played linebacker for four years and defensive end for four years with the Atlanta Falcons.
He was also an All-American for Syracuse University, where he received a degree in English Literature in 1986 and attended law school not to mention he was an NFL first round draft pick.
His books, written for young teens, includeFootball Genius, Football Hero, Football Camp, The Big Time, Deep Zone, Unstoppable, Perfect Season, Baseball Great, Rivals, Best of the Best, Pinch Hit, Force Out,andNew Kid.
Champion NFL Coach Bill Parcell described Mr. Green’s books as, “As close as you can get to the NFL action without putting on the pads. Filled with excitement, suspense – and great football.”
Mr. Green, a native of Liverpool, visits about 100 schools a year around the country. He uses his fees to purchase books for schools and libraries.
“It’s all about reading,” said Mr. Green adding, “We didn’t have to buy books. Libraries cost only the time. When reading, don’t feel like when you start a book that you have to finish it. If you started it and read only five chapters and you didn’t love it, I wouldn’t want you to keep going, unless, of course, it was homework.”
He continued with more on his love of reading.
“I’ve read thousands of books. I got here today from my love of reading. My two passions were sports and books. My dreams were to be in the NFL and be a best-selling author.”
As with anything in life, Mr. Green’s advice to those pursing any dream is to keep at it.
“There is no substitute for work. Anything you want to be or accomplish in this life takes work,” he said.
“When talking about work, get excited. Athletes have an advantage. They understand work. If you’re going to succeed in any sport, you’re going to have to work. The same is true for music and drama. Athletes must apply work to academics and number one to character. I coach my kids in sports, but they are subordinate to education.”
Though he was an avid reader, he admitted that school wasn’t a cake walk.
“No one hated homework more than me, but I did it. I would grind that stuff out. I’d sit in the front row in class. I was dialed in to the teacher just like the coach on the football field. I put in the same effort. When friends said ‘dude, give it a rest’, it had no effect on me. It bounced right off of me. I was there to learn and get better.”
Mr. Green was recruited by every major college team, including Alabama, Penn State, Notre Dame, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale.
He said, “I was a good athlete with an A average. I was not recruited because I was the smartest person in the room. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who would outwork me. Education is more important than sports, even if you make it in professional sports.”
His message was simple: “The more you educate yourself, the more choices you have.”
He lent thought to the phrase the higher you climb, the farther you fall: “The higher you go in professional sports, the farther you will fall and you will. What catches you when you fall is your education. It doesn’t matter if you get a PhD or become a licensed electrician. This is your proving ground here. The next level is high school then trade school or college. The reason is not the money, it’s choices. Education creates value for you. The better you are the more people want you. There is something in my home more important than report cards or test scores. It is who you are – your character, your tolerance for who people are on the inside, your generosity, and your forgiveness. We all need to be forgiven, because we all make mistakes.
Among his favorite character trait was kindness.
“Most important to me is kindness. It’s so simple and so elusive,” he said.
“Be kind, not just to your best friends, favorite teacher or coach, relative, or best player on the team. Kindness is also for people you don’t know, like the new kid with a speech impediment, someone of a different religion, lonely, in a wheelchair, or sick. True kindness is not just for people you like. You will be rich if you can be kind. If there is one other human being you love so much you would jump in front of a bus for, that’s richness. Character gets this in your life. Be kind, forgiving, caring, and tolerant.”
Mr. Green advocated that reading is extremely important, and well worth anyone’s time. It may also take some practice…like football.
“Books are exercise or weightlifting for your brain. Students who read get smarter. Include books in your life. I read all the time. If you do this over time you will get smarter. One weight training does not make you ready for the NFL. I read books, because I love them. They are powerful.”
Mr. Green specifically described a couple of his books that help readers learn empathy for those who are different, such as the cancer victim undergoing chemotherapy in his bookUnstoppable.
He explained that knowing what the character went through would help readers treat similar victims differently.
He encouraged the students to talk to those who are different. He said, “They will look at you with surprise and gratitude.”
Mr. Green then read a chapter from the book. The story and his story telling were intense and exciting. He explained his chapters are about two to four pages each. He said at the end of chapters, “It leaves you thinking ‘let me find out what happens next’.”
Mr. Green took questions from the students in the audience, and later held a book signing for those who had purchased his books.
He said that his first book took him five years to write, the second book took two years, the third book took one year, and now he writes two books a year. His books are also available in audio form. For more information visitwww.timgreenbooks.com.
Mr. Green thanked Gouverneur Middle School and High School Media Specialist and Librarian Mary Dixon for arranging the event. He said, “She’s a great librarian!” He asked for a big round of applause to honor her.
Mr. Green has worked as an attorney in the energy field. He is opening a new criminal law practice with two other former assistant district attorneys. He lives with his wife and five children in Skaneateles, New York.
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