Tim Green, a former NFL star who is a best-selling author and practicing attorney, visited Breed Monday to discuss his accomplishments and deliver an important message to students about the opportunities that are available to them if they are willing to put in the required effort.
“I worked like a crazy person, as an athlete and in school,” said Green, a two-time All-America at Syracuse University who was drafted by Atlanta in the first round of the 1986 NFL draft and played eight years with the Falcons. “I knew education was my path.”
Green has written 32 books, including 16 for young readers. “Unstoppable” made it to No. 2 on the New York Times bestseller list and it was the book selected for the Breed Reads school-wide reading program this year. All students, teachers and staff were asked to read the book over the summer, with free copies provided by the school.
Green had his first book published (“Ruffians” — a suspense novel) and he started law school while he was playing in the NFL. He developed a love of writing as a child, but he never envisioned selling more than a million books.
“I didn’t write thinking that I was going to make a living at it,” he said.
Green’s books are set in the world of sports. His latest, “Kid Owner,” is about a 12-year-old boy who inherits ownership of the Dallas Cowboys from his father.
In addition to talking about education and the value of reading – “It’s like weightlifting for the brain,” he said – Green stressed the importance of character.
“In the next 24 hours, I want you to find someone different than you and do or say something kind to that person,” said Green. “It will be a powerful experience for you.”