As Valerie Gangie was ready to start another typical science class at Bloomfield High School in Connecticut in April 2002, she heard one of her students say, "Ms. Gangie, there's a really big man looking for you outside of the classroom."
Having no idea who it could be, she poked her head around the corner and saw the visitor with a big grin.
"Well, let him in," said Ms. Gangie, who was surprised and delighted by her guest.
It was Dwight Freeney, who just two days before the visit was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 11th overall pick in the NFL Draft. He stopped by just to say hello to his favorite teacher, who he is still in touch with today. She congratulated him and wished him a safe trip to Indianapolis.
"I'm not on my way to Indianapolis Ms. Gangie, I'm going back to Syracuse to study," said Freeney, who frequently visits his old school when he's in town. "I still have to finish up some schoolwork."
Just two days after his life-changing experience of getting drafted into the NFL, he was still focused on the right thing: maintaining his sterling GPA.
Freeney's crisp focus is the driving force behind both his football and academic success.
With all of his achievements on the football field, which include three Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring, it would seem easy for a mother to be proud of a son like Dwight, but what his mother, Joy Freeney, is most proud of has nothing to do with football.
"When Dwight graduated from Syracuse and they announced that he was on the Dean's List, it was the proudest moment of my life," she said, having always inspired Dwight to put academics before athletics.
"He always wanted to make sure he took full advantage of his opportunity to receive a quality education in case football didn't work out. Dwight has an incredible ability to completely focus on whatever he's doing, and when he does this, he's always achieved what he sets out for, and the Dean's List was one of his goals," she added.
Joy and Hugh B. Freeney, Dwight's parents, taught their son a bevy of values and football helped him apply them. Today, Joy is a contributing member to the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (PFPMA; pfpma.org), an information network for mothers of pro football players to support one another, address specific needs and to assist in their sons' charitable endeavors.
"We taught him certain things at home, but when he got out on the field and realized what he can do, it was the reinforcement he needed to understand his potential," said Joy Freeney. "Football taught him a way of focusing on a specific task and achieving it, which has instilled a life-long belief of thinking he can accomplish anything."
When the star defensive end focused on academics, he earned Dean's List honors. With his focus on football, he's earned three NFL All-Star distinctions and helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI. Even when it comes to one of his favorite pastimes, video games, he's earned two championships in the EA Sports Madden Bowl (2003, 2004).
There's no word yet on what Freeney's newest goals are, but whatever they may be, believe that he will achieve them.
"We always talk before the season about what he hopes to accomplish," says his mom, "and I'm sure this year he'll have some new goals in mind.
"Right now Dwight's just completely focused on rehabbing the foot he injured last season and coming back stronger than ever."
Quarterbacks beware!
USA Football shares an exciting partnership with the Professional Football Players Mothers Association (PFPMA) and the National Football Players Fathers Association (NFPFA) for the betterment of America's favorite sport. The pros' moms and dads share their rich "football parent" experiences with today's youth football parents on a regular basis at usafootball.com.