Smiles All Around
September 29, 2023 | Football, Student-Athlete Development, Joel Coleman
State football players brighten up Friday for area kids.
STARKVILLE – A little girl came running down the sidewalk upon arriving at Starkville Academy early Friday morning. She'd just been dropped off for school, and she'd spotted a guy sporting a ball cap, blue jeans and boots that she wasn't going to miss getting a picture with.
It was Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers.
"I love him," the little girl was saying as she made her way towards her hero before eventually getting the photo with MSU's signal caller she'd been clamoring for. What a way to start a morning for one of Rogers' biggest fans!
Rogers was just one of several Bulldogs out brightening kids' day on Friday. Some spent the morning opening car doors and greeting arrivers at Starkville Academy. Others participated in P.E. activities at Overstreet Elementary. A couple more had a lunchtime meet and greet with the kids at Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary.
The common theme at every stop? Smiles. And those smiles were coming from the players and kids alike.
"I would have loved to have had a Mississippi State player do all this for me when I was younger," safety Trent Singleton said between giving high-fives at Starkville Academy. "I always loved Mississippi State, and so to now be at Mississippi State and be able to do this, it's a like a dream come true for me and for the kids."
Singleton's feelings were shared. That much was obvious as his teammates interacted with the children. Everyone was having a blast.
Rogers, an avid outdoorsman, shared with one little boy how much he liked his camouflage backpack. As receiver Creed Whittemore, safety Isaac Smith and others played games, they were laughing and grinning from ear to ear as though they were the ones still in elementary school.
For just a few moments at all the stops, MSU's players were kids themselves once again. And the love the Bulldogs received in return also offered a reminder.
"All this shows the impact we have on this community," Singleton said. "And it also reminds me to be mindful of how I carry myself. We have a chance to show the youth of the community the right way to walk that daily walk."
Without question, it was a successful day all around. Saturdays might be game days for the Bulldogs, but there's no doubt both State and the Starkville community went ahead and made it a winning Maroon Friday.
"All of this just speaks volumes about our guys' character and dedication," MSU director of player development Jason Washington said. "This gives us the opportunity to make a small difference in a young person's life that they might remember forever. That's something that's special."
