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NFL Network PE Teacher of the Year Nomination:


We're looking for the most inspiring, motivating and dedicated PE teacher in the country. Think you know him/her? Tell us why your nominee deserves to win.

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Brendon Ayanbadejo

Brendon Ayanbadejo
  • Team: Baltimore Ravens
  • Position: Linebacker/Special Teams
  • DOB: September 06, 1976
  • Hometown: Chicago, IL

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to school?Mission Hills Junior High School, Santa Cruz, CA

How do you keep focused during a game?Pay attention and concentrate on what's happening in the game.

Who was your favorite football player growing up?Ronnie Laughton

How has PE changed since you were in middle school?Every school had PE and now it seems like now half the schools don't even have a physical education classes!

What did you learn in PE class?Our teacher, Mr. Ross taught me about work ethic – never give up and you can always accomplish your goals through dedication.

Matt Birk

Matt Birk
  • Team: Baltimore Ravens
  • Position: Center
  • DOB: July 23, 1976
  • Hometown: St. Paul, MN

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to school?Nativity of Our Lord Middle School, St. Paul, MN

How do you keep focused during a game?I keep in mind that the game is long and remind myself that if things are not going well, they can always get better.

Who was your favorite football player growing up?Tommy Kramer, QA for Minnesota Vikings

What did you learn in gym class?Working within a team.

What happens when kids don't exercise?I think they set themselves up for physical risks for later down the line – normal development for a happy childhood includes exercise.

Alex Brown

Alex Brown
  • Team: Chicago Bears
  • Position: Defensive End
  • DOB: June 04, 1979
  • Hometown: Jasper, FL

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to school?Hamilton County High School, Jasper, FL

Who was your favorite football player growing up?Lawrence Taylor

What did you learn from PE class?To make sure to always have fun!

How has PE class changed since you were in school?We used to go outside and play all the time.

What do you stay fit?Eating right is one of the most important things you can do.

Corey Webster

Corey Webster
  • Team: New York Giants
  • Position: Cornerback
  • DOB: March 02, 1982
  • Hometown: Vacherie, LA

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to school?St. James Junior High, Vacherie, LA

How do you keep focused during a game?Study the opponent to become familiar with the way they play and think.

What do you do to get motivated to exercise?Knowing that I have to be in tip top shape helps me stay disciplined.

Do you have advice for kids that want to be NFL players?It's important to be active both on and off the field.

Who was your favorite football player growing?Deion Sanders

What did you learn from PE class?To be active at an early age, and to exercise on and off season.

Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner
  • Team: Arizona Cardinals
  • Position: Quarterback
  • DOB: June 22, 1971
  • Hometown: Burlington, IA

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to school?All Saints, Cedar Rapids, IA

What is the name of your favorite gym teacher?Mr. Padlock

What was your favorite sport / activity in gym class?(If it was football – what was your second-favorite?) Floor Hockey

What did you like/value about PE class?Being active in a fun way

What do you do to stay fit in the off season?Play Basketball

What is your favorite memory from PE class?The yearly tournaments we had competing against classmates. It was friendly active competition.

Antwaan Randle El

Antwaan Randle El
  • Team: Washington Redskins
  • Position: Wide Receiver
  • DOB: August 17, 1979
  • Hometown: Riverdale, IL

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to school?General George S. Patton School, Riverdale, IL

What is the name of your favorite gym teacher?Mr. Marvin Wright

What was your favorite sport / activity in gym class?(If it was football – what was your second-favorite?) dodgeball

What did you like/value about gym class?I liked gym class because it gave me a chance to have free time and run around for awhile.

What do you do to stay fit in the off season?I play basketball, run, and lift weights. I like to do lots of different activities to keep it interesting.

What is your favorite memory from gym class?Dodgeball! I was about to lose one time and this guy, Lee Gordon, threw the ball at me and I jumped and spread my legs and the ball went right through and missed me – then, I was able to grab the ball and get him out!

Deuce McAllister

Deuce McAllister
  • Team: New Orleans Saints
  • Position: Running back
  • DOB: December 27, 1978
  • Hometown: Lena, MI

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to Middle School?Morton Junior High in Morton Mississippi

What is the name of your favorite gym teacher?Coach Amos

What was your favorite sport / activity in gym class? (If it was football – what was your second-favorite?)Basketball is actually my favorite sport to play

What did you like/value about gym class?Getting to run around and play

What do you do to stay fit in the off season?Running and lifting weights during offseason conditioning

What is your favorite memory from gym class?Our gym classes would sometimes go on field trips to athletic events. That was my favorite.

Donnie Edwards

Donnie Edwards
  • Team: Kansas City Chiefs
  • Position: Linebacker
  • DOB: April 6, 1973
  • Hometown: Chula Vista, CA

Gym Class Memories

Where did you go to Middle School?Chula Vista Middle School

What is the name of your favorite gym teacher?Craig Wilson (Mr. Wilson)

What was your favorite sport / activity in gym class? (If it was football – what was your second-favorite?)Basketball

What did you like/value about gym class?Going outside and playing sports

What do you do to stay fit in the off season?Eat healthy, work out, set goals

What is your favorite memory from gym class?Running a mile in 7th grade... had the fastest time 5:55 mins. I sprinted the whole way.

Please support The State of Florida in defeating SB 1644, which would eliminate the middle school physical education requirement. For more information and a “National Call to Action” please click here.

For Kids

Hey kids, it's easy to be active, stay healthy, and have a ton of fun! Challenge yourself and your friends to get out and play for 60 minutes a day. You can play football, go swimming, ride a bike, or do anything that gets you up and moving. For great play ideas visit NFLrush.com.

Don't forget to nominate your teacher for NFL Network PE Teacher of the Year. Your teacher could be awarded a $10,000 PE grant for your school!

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Keep Gym in SchoolPresident's Challenge

NFL Network has teamed with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to bring you the Keep Gym in School President's Challenge, a program that encourages all Americans to make being active part of their everyday lives. No matter what your activity and fitness level, the Keep Gym in School President's Challenge can help motivate you to improve.

NFL Players'Gym Stories

2009 - 2010

Brendon Ayanbadejo

Brendon AyanbadejoBaltimore Ravens
Linebacker/Special Teams

3 time Pro Bowl selection

Matt Birk

Matt BirkBaltimore Ravens
Center

6 time Pro Bowl selection

Alex Brown

Alex BrownChicago Bears
Defensive End

2 time Pro Bowl alternate selection

Corey Webster

Corey WebsterNew York Giants
Cornerback

Super Bowl XLII Champion

2008 - 2009

Kurt Warner

Kurt WarnerArizona Cardinals
Quarterback

2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

Antwaan Randle El

Antwaan Randle ElWashington Redskins
Wide Receiver

Super Bowl XL Champion

Deuce McAllister

Deuce McAllisterNew Orleans Saints
Running back

2 time Pro Bowl selection

Donnie Edwards

Donnie EdwardsKansas City Chiefs
Linebacker

Pro Bowl alternate selection
20/20 Club Memeber

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