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NFL player gives back to Alachua


By JONATHAN FERRANTE
Special to The Sun



Published: Monday, June 9, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.

While the Jacksonville Jaguars' Mike Peterson may have a tough job on the field, this weekend he tackled a different group of receivers.
Instead of the thick-padded, jersey-clad players he's used to charging the field with, Peterson was joined by HappE the clown, a team of face painters and enough activities to make even the hottest day seem cool.
More than 300 people braved the sweltering heat Sunday and showed up at the Hal Brady Recreation Center in Alachua to participate in the second annual Health and Family Fun Weekend.
Along with the bean-bag games, watermelon and rock-climbing wall, the participants also were given the chance to interact with the veteran linebacker.
Under the same tent, Peterson gave out autographs, HappE the clown juggled and formed balloon animals, and kids anxiously waited to have their favorite superhero meticulously painted across their face.
"We're very fortunate that the Peterson family has been putting stuff back into the community," said Hal Brady, recreation and parks director. "They've helped out to do many things."
Mike Peterson along with his brother, Adrian, who is a running back for the Chicago Bears, also help out in one of the area's senior community centers.
The events of the day included the Cal Ripken League's baseball championships on an adjacent field.
As the neighboring baseball tournaments ended, the players rushed over to have the football player sign their baseball caps and baseballs.
Peterson, a native of Alachua, graduate of Santa Fe High School and former University of Florida football player, has a simple philosophy for hosting the event.
"It gives the kids hope," he said. "They can see Mike Peterson in their newspaper, but you get a chance to see the guy that came up the same place you did - it gives the kids hope."
Peterson recalls growing up in the town and having nothing to do on the weekends.
As part of the mission of the Mike Peterson Foundation, events are planned around some of the places he remembers from his childhood.
"We're hitting all the same spots that I grew up in," he said.
Peterson started the Foundation in 2005 as a way to give back to the community.
According to Liz Willyoung, director of the foundation, the organization also reaches out to the community in Jacksonville, which is Peterson's current residence.
In the coming months, the foundation will be holding a football camp and other activities that will be hosted by Peterson and other players from the Jaguars.