Dr Seuss Enterprises and Creative Minds Publications, announced that they have teamed up with the NFL for the 7th annual Tackle Reading event on March 2nd in celebration of Dr. Seuss’s 119th birthday. This year, the two organizations will bring NFL teams into schools across the country for special Dr. Seuss-themed events featuring a reading of a Dr. Seuss book by an NFL player and other celebratory activities. The NFL teams participating in this year’s events include Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins.
Tackle Reading events are assembly-style celebrations designed to inspire children at underserved schools to fall in love with reading. At each of the events a current or alumnus NFL player will read a beloved Dr. Seuss book at a school-wide assembly. As part of the event, students will have the opportunity to hear motivational messages directly from the NFL athletes and ask them questions. Every school will receive a collection of Random House Children’s Books titles, each student will receive a Dr. Seuss book from Random House Children’s Books and Dr. Seuss school supplies from GEDDES, and every teacher will receive a Dr. Seuss t-shirt from Life is Good and a Cat in the Hat-style hat from Fun.com. The event will also feature other fun elements such as NFL team mascots, cheerleaders, and more.
Kathryn Starke, Founder of Creative Minds Publications, said, “We’re looking forward to teaming up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises for this year’s Tackle Reading event. We hope the combination of beloved Dr. Seuss stories and the players’ enthusiasm will inspire even more kids at these schools to learn to love reading.”
Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said, “One of our key missions at Dr. Seuss Enterprises is to work with community leaders to support literacy development efforts in underserved schools. What Kathryn Starke and the NFL have created is truly a selfless, inspiring program, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it as we celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday this year.”
This year marks the 7th annual Tackle Reading event produced by Creative Minds Publications. Over the past six years, the organization has partnered with athletes representing all 32 NFL teams and Hall of Fame members including Roger Staubach, Charles Haley, Drew Pearson, Willie Lanier, and Coach Mike Munchak.