TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011
Candice Coots

Weplay Pop Warner Clinic Unites Players with NFL Idol

By Candice Coots

It had been storming all week in Boston.

But just hours before Weplay's Spring Pop Warner clinic the rain clouds miraculous cleared, allowing the 200+ cheerleaders, football players, coaches and parents to breath a collective sigh of relief.

After all, the event had been a year and a half in the making. No one wanted poor weather to put a damper on the once in a lifetime clinic.

Members of the Brockton Junior Boxers Pop Warner league, who won Weplay's Pop Warner contest - a personal clinic with 4x NFL MVP, Peyton Manning, weren't going to let anything stop them from savoring the moment.

As soon as the youth athletes found out that they would be practicing with the future Hall of Famer at their 2010 spring sports banquet (WATCH THEIR REACTION VIDEO), the kids became nothing less than anxious.

Their suspense culminated Friday May 20th on the Brockton High School football field, about 30-minutes outside of downtown Boston, when Manning came out of the player's entrance and greeted the elated league and their onlooking parents.

After his introduction, three players, who were selected by league coaches for their high academic and athletic achievements each asked Manning a question, which ranged from the Colts/Patriots rivalry to a blooper from his childhood. Then it was off to the field.

In no time, Manning and the kids, who didn't miss a beat jumping into route drills, looked as though they had been in a coach/player relationship for years. Sports parents and even some of the police security personnel couldn't help but snap a photo or two on their mobile devices to share with friends and family.

After taking a league-wide photo with the Colts' quarterback, the Boxers ended the clinic by presenting Manning with their team jersey.

"I never imagined this could happen," uttered Keith Hayes, long time Boxers board member, after the clinic wrapped up. "I literally had a tear in my eye when Peyton came through the bleachers and greeted the kids."

2 comments

  • May 24, 2011

    Very cool! What an incredible opportunity to get coached by one of the best ever...

  • August 08, 2011

    i got to talk to him

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