By RAY LIGHTNER
Journal Staff Writer
Randy McMichael remembers what it was like getting that list on the first day of school and not being able to fill it.
“I was in those chairs,” he told the children gathered Friday at the Houston County Housing Authority Youth Center on Green Street. McMichael grew up in Fort Valley, playing football at Peach County High School and the University of Georgia.
He’s starting his sixth year in the National Football League, playing this year for the St. Louis Rams after five years at tight end for the Miami Dolphins.
He and his wife handed out school supplies and red and black Reebok gym bags Friday. McMichael also autographed posters for his second annual Celebrity Weekend in Middle Georgia, which was Saturday in Fort Valley.
“Don’t ever let your situation in life, your background hold you back,” McMichael told the children. “Eighty percent of the guys I play with came from this background.”
The Randy McMichael Foundation contacted the Warner Robins Housing Authority about the giveaway. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” McMichael said. “Give kids bags for back to school and help out the parents a little bit.”
He told the children to “enjoy school as long as you can, because real life is hard.”
McMichael encouraged them to “go after what you want. All things are possible with hard work.”
