ST. PAUL — Bo Richter swapped his football helmet for a Dr. Suess book last week.
The Vikings outside linebacker surprised students at Highwood Hills Elementary with a Tackle Reading event, during which he read aloud The Cat in the Hat. Richter encouraged young people to find the fun in reading, noting the importance of education in any field — including athletics.
"Reading is the best. I've been reading since I was even younger than you guys," Richter told the students. "Reading is a great way to expand your vocabulary, learn a lot of new words.
"You can read to learn, you can read for fun, or you can do a little bit of both," he later added. "I like to read to learn new things, but I also like to read because it's entertaining."
View photos of Vikings OLB Bo Richter helping surprise local students with a Tackle Reading assembly to celebrate Dr. Suess' birthday.
Highwood Hills Principal Dr. Fatima Lawson emphasized the impact professional athletes like Richter can have on young people's appreciation of reading and overall academics.
"This means a lot," Lawson said. "Especially with some of our boys, when I talk to them, they want to be football players. They want to be athletes, because they believe that that is the highest level of success. So for them to see that you cannot achieve that if you do not read, it's a big deal.
"The students now know they have to focus on reading because they've seen their role model reading," Lawson continued, "and that is definitely going to help us as we encourage them to continue."
Richter was joined by Viktor the Viking — who rivaled the defender in reaction received — and Vikings Community Relations Coordinator Naomi Evans, who congratulated the students on recording so many reading minutes over the school year thus far.
The Tackle Reading initiative was developed by Creative Minds Publications to inspire children at underserved schools to fall in love with reading. This March marks Year 10 of the assembly-style celebrations hosted by NFL teams across the league during the week of Dr. Seuss' birthday.
After reading The Cat in the Hat, Richter joined Evans and Viktor the Viking in leading a competition among six Highwood Hills teachers — much to the excitement and joy of their students. The educators competed through three rounds of challenges: a football toss, a dance-off with "The Griddy" and rapping multiple pages from a Dr. Suess book. Teachers were eliminated based on performance until one was left standing and received a Vikings football autographed by Richter.
Richter cheered on the teachers and especially applauded some of the impressive dance moves. To wrap up the assembly, he helped pass out free copies of Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs & Ham to each student and snapped photos with some of the teachers and classes.
"Today's event is just electrifying," Lawson said, smiling. "I don't know if we've ever had an assembly where everyone is so engaged and focusing. … And look at the students — they're already reading their new books.
"We focus on reading as the gateway to all learning, and this event is wonderful," she added.
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