Spring training won’t be the only thing Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin suits up for during this 2012 preseason. The franchise record holder for interceptions has been selected as an ambassador for United Way’s “Team NFL,” an effort aimed at reducing the number of high school dropouts nationwide.
“[United Way] had so many great players to choose from, so it was my honor when I was chosen,” Quin says. “I understand the importance of this position, and I’m really excited to be able to reach out.”
Quin joins the ranks of elite NFL ballplayers Greg Jennings of the Green Bay Packers and Nnamdi Asomugha of the Philadelphia Eagles. He and his new “teammates” are challenged to recruit up to 3,000 volunteers from their respective communities to tutor/mentor young people until they graduate.
“We’re using our status as professional athletes to encourage these kids to stay in school,” explains Quin. “We want to target them young so they understand the importance of an education and get excited about school early on.”
Quin’s two-year term will officially kick off in June at United Way’s “Day of Action” in Washington D.C. He says, “[Players and United Way officials] will strategize on what we can do, how we can use the people and opportunities around us to recruit and help out,” adding “I’m working with people on developing a website in a effort to really get the message out and recruit all my fans and NFL fans. I’m really excited. This is a great opportunity for the NFL to really reach out and touch other people’s lives.”
You can join Quin’s or another athlete’s team by visiting the “Team NFL” website and clicking on the players’ respective links.
Photo:  bleacherreport.com