Keeping Gym in Schools
Corkran Middle School
September 29, 2009
Thank you very, very much for coming here to Corkran Middle. I also want to thank the wonderful band from Glen Burnie High School and the cheerleaders. Let's give them a round of applause. (Applause.)
So many people to thank here. Did you know -- did you know that Education Week magazine, a national magazine, said that Maryland Public Schools are not number three in the country, not number two in the country, but number one in the country. (Applause.)
Because in Maryland, just like the Ravens, we want to be number one, right? (Applause.)
But there's a lot of people who believe that you can be number one, that's why they're here -- they're here because of your hard work. But they're also here because of your potential to be leaders; to be leaders not only with one another here at Corkran, but leaders in the whole State and leaders in the whole country.
So that's why Brendon Ayanbadejo is here, that's why Matt Birk is here, thank you gentlemen for coming here. And how about Brendon's interception against the Browns this past Sunday? (Applause.)
Corkran Middle School, are we ready for the Patriots? (Applause.)
I know that the Ravens are ready for the Patriots and I know that each of you is ready to be a patriot in your own right, in the sense that you're willing to do this -- not only are you going to root for the Ravens, but I want you to be like the Ravens.
You know why? Because these gentlemen understand that they need to be physically fit. But you need to be physically fit, not only to play football, you need to be physically fit in order to be the strong American, the strong Marylander that each of us needs for you to be.
And as Dr. Maxwell said, it requires balance. We know that math is important, right?
We know that reading is important, right?
We know that science is important, correct?
But you know what else is really important? Physical education. Being physically fit.
Because in order for you to have a complete education, we want you to have music, we want you to have art. And we need for you to be healthy.
So let's make sure that by the choices that each of us makes, that we keep gym in schools, that we stay physically fit, we show our neighbors what it takes. Staying healthy in school is a good start to being healthy through your entire life. And I just want to say thank you to the NFL Network and the investment that they are willing to make here in the basketball court and the tennis court. (Applause.)
Let we wrap up by saying this, Corkran Middle School, each of us believes in you, we all need you and we all love you very much, but only you can make your choices that make yourselves physically fit. Are you going to do that for me? (Applause.)
How many of you are going to make a commitment today to the Ravens to stay physically fit? I don't see everybody -- everybody on your feet. (Applause.)
