Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Becomes HS Teacher For Day
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Combine the NFL lockout with an American government class and it equals a special teaching position for Baltimore Ravens Domonique Foxworth.
Gigi Barnett explains he became a teacher for a day at Northwestern High School.
Just after the lunch bell at Northwestern High, it's American government. Matt Thornton is the teacher. But Thursday, there was another instructor at the helm.
"Do I want to be a teacher? We'll find out at the end of this, how you guys treat me," Foxworth said.
He's Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth.
"He looked nervous," said one student.
But the questions from students flowed.
"How does it feel to go from the NFL to a substitute teacher?" one student asked.
Foxworth is still in the NFL even though next year's season is in jeopardy because of a players' lockout. In the meantime, Foxworth received an invitation to teach this once from Thornton. He took it.
"Education is hugely important to the success of these kids. Whether they realize it or not, I think the more times we can get people like me —and anybody, really— involved in the classroom it shows them how important learning is," Foxworth said.
For a first-time teacher, students had pointers and the teacher gave a grade.
"He definitely gets an 'A.' He did a great job. He asked challenging, he answered the questions well," Thornton said.
But Foxworth is ready to go back to the gridiron.
"I think I'm a little safer on the football field," he said with a smile. "These kids are really smart, and it was fun."
Foxworth's lesson included covering several Supreme Court cases, and he had some very lively discussions.
In addition to Thornton, Teach For America also invited Foxworth to the classroom. That is, of course, teachers who take on classrooms in urban and rural settings.
This may not be Foxworth's final day of teaching. He said he would go back into the classroom if he was asked.
