Quarterback visits Maryland Catholic school to promote education

Published: 2005-11-01

WESTMINSTER, Md. (CNS) -- Purple fever swept through St. John School in Westminster Oct. 25 when Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Kyle Boller visited some of his biggest and youngest fans. Addressing 500 purple-clad, cheering students in the gym, the 24-year-old California native said education is the key to their future. "To be what you want to be, education has to come first," said Boller, who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in American studies. "Nothing is going to be easy," he said. "You have to keep working hard. You've got to listen to your teachers." Boller's visit was made possible by a 9-year-old St. John fourth-grader, Lexi Kresslein, who won a sweepstakes sponsored by the J.C. Penney Afterschool program. Boller was one of 34 National Football League players who visited schools across the country to promote education.

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