Reeding for the Big Game

NFL Hall OF Famer 2014 inductee, Andre Reed has found a way to make reading fun for children across the country. Read with Reed 83 is a literacy program that helps and encourages boys and girls club members to read for 30 minutes a day. The program held reading rallies in different cities this past year. Reading rallies give the members a chance to show their peers what they have accomplished and how they have continued to grow through games, music, and fun. For those of you that don’t know, Andre was a member of the Boys and Girls Club himself. He says “It’s my new legacy, and commitment to kids like me, to make reading cool again by using pro athletes and the game of football.” The kids that reads the most books gets to watch a live NFL or NBA game, but also gets a chance to meet their favorite player.

This week for the big game in Minneapolis, Andre held a super-sized rally. The rally included members of the Minnesota Timberwolves, former NFL players, and Vikings quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. Teddy read his book, Little Bear Teddy Big Dreams Come True, which was written by his girlfriend Erika Cardoa in inspiration of him. They also donated 25 copies of their book to the Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club. Andre is committed to doing his part in the community and making sure inner-city kids get all of the opportunities they can and to gain all of the knowledge that he knows is available to them.