| In today’s world of sports, professional athletes are
looked up to as role models. The actions they display on and off the field are copied by
children all over the country. Too often, the NFL gets a black eye because of some of the
wrongdoings of its players. However, there are pro football players whose off-the-field
actions make the NFL proud.
While many professional football players spend the offseason licking their wounds,
taking advantage of endorsement opportunities and having fun as they lead a million-dollar
lifestyle, Bears LB Barry Minter substitute-teaches during his three months off.
Minter received his college education at the University of Tulsa and hopes to earn his
master’s degree and teach for a living once his football career comes to an end.
"Teaching is just a way of giving back," Minter said. "I enjoy young
people. When I was in school, I had a couple of coaches and counselors who were very
influential in my life. I like to give back to young people the way those people gave to
me."
Some of the events that occur in the classroom require the same preparation as events
that take place during a football game.
"When you go out onto the football field, you have to know your assignment; you
have to know how to attack the opponent. And when you are in the classroom, you need to
know what you are teaching the kids, and you have to know how you are going to display or
reveal what you are teaching them," Minter said.
While some students may not pay attention in a class taught by a teacher without
Minter’s fame, they definitely settle down and listen to what Minter has to say. As
they sit and realize they are in the same classroom as a player who has appeared on
television on football Sundays, they pay a great deal of attention to the lesson being
taught.
"After the initial shock that he was standing right in front of me, I settled down
and gave him my undivided attention," 16-year-old Scott Horwitch said. "I was
surprised that he was so bright, considering he is a football player."
Most students realize that Minter is there as a teacher and not a professional athlete.
However, there will always be a few students who consider it to be an autograph session.
"I made that mistake once early in my substituting," Minter said. "It
seemed some students were offended by the fact I would not sign, so I told one class to
stay after school and I would sign for them. I had kids missing buses and parents coming
in, wondering why their kids were late getting outside, so my answer now is just
‘no.’ "
In addition to guiding and directing kids through teaching, Minter also runs his own
charity, the Barry Minter Charitable Foundation. "I attended one of the basketball
games Barry’s foundation organized, and he is a great man," Keyon Simpson, a
participant in a 1999 event, said. "He really cares about the kids and loves to see
them having fun."
Minter gets much more than just a paycheck from his substitute teaching. "My
personal reward is just going and talking, seeing the expressions of kids and working with
them on problems," Minter said. "Trying to explain something to them and they
don’t get it, and all of a sudden the light goes on. That is the reward, seeing them
smile."
Many football players’ ability to make people smile can only be accomplished on
the field of play. Minter can teach them a thing or two about how to accomplish that off
the field, as well. |
