Gosforth East Middle School hosted American football legend and Super Bowl winner Antonio Freeman for what was described as a 'fantastic' day. The school's flag football players met the former Green Bay Packer, who took part in a question and answer session.
Teacher's email led to NFL partnership
The relationship between the school and the most successful NFL franchise of all time was started by Joseph Maloney, a teacher and huge fan of the sport. He runs the school's flag football programme and decided to email the team, just to see if someone would send a video message to motivate the kids.
On this, he said: "When they replied, they said nobody was there with it being the off season, but asked me to send the address so they could give us loads of equipment and merch. A big box of branded stuff arrived, which the kids loved, and we also got a signed photo of current player Dan Whelan, who is a massive Newcastle United fan."
Special guest visit and equipment donation
Joseph added: "Then, they got back in contact, as they were doing the huddle event at St James' Park last Thursday, and asked me to come to it as a special guest. I went back and asked if Antonio could come to the school during the time, and they said it was a great way to do something in the community, as they want to expand the reach of the team."
What followed was an even bigger box of equipment, with over £500 worth of Green Bay Packers branded footballs, clothing, boots, and merchandise. The delivery was handed over in front of everyone at the school on Thursday.
Students' questions and advice from Freeman
Joseph, 25, added: "With what they have given us, we can expand the flag football offering we have at the school, and can develop more teams. The day itself was great, and Antonio Freeman was fantastic, as the kids got to do a question and answer session with him."
He said: "They did a lot of research, and asked some really good questions, including being interested in his son Alex who plays for Villarreal in Spain. He told them to listen to their teachers, as they have more life experience and will try to set you on the right path. He was talking about how he didn't have much growing up, but was able to get a scholarship, the only way that he could continue his education. They brought even more kit on the day, and we all got photos together, it was the best experience, and the kids were absolutely buzzing."
The huddle event in Newcastle city centre, which Joseph said was "amazing", saw over 400 people come together in Shearer's Bar, with Shola Ameobi also a guest alongside Antonio, who said that Newcastle is like Green Bay, and that this is the start of a great relationship forming between the two places.
