Theismann gives back to South River schools
Superintendent says NFLgreat remains role model for students
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer

SOUTH RIVER - A well-known alumnus has not forgotten his old school system.

Retired NFLstar Joe Theismann last month donated $6,000 to provide students at the South River Primary School with a new Rigby literary reading series. In 2006, the quarterback-turned-sports announcer donated $15,000 for computers at the South River Elementary School.

In a letter to Superintendent of Schools Ronald Grygo, Theismann wrote that he is glad to be able to help South River's students.

"My hometown means a lot to me," Theismann said.

Grygo announced the latest donation at a Board of Education meeting in August.

"His generosity is just overwhelm- ing," Grygo said later.

Theismann has said that he wants to do what he can to help the borough where he got his start as a Pop Warner football player.

"I have been in contact with Mr. Theismann over the past few years, and he has indicated a desire to give back to the community and to give back to the school district," Grygo said. "He is very happy to do what he can."

Theismann, according to Grygo, indicated that he is "looking forward to doing many more projects for students."

"This fall, we invited him to see a game and enjoy his company, and he said that if his schedule allows, he will," Grygo added.

Theismann is a role model to students, the superintendent said, and his career demonstrates that hard work and determination lead to success.

"Throughout his entire football career, he was always considered an underdog," Grygo said. "He had a good arm and was a skilled athlete, but people always said that he was too small to play at the level he was at."

Grygo played on the South River High School football team with Theismann until the quarterback graduated in 1966. NFLwide receiver Drew Pearson would later graduate from the school with the class of 1969.

"Drew was a year behind me and Joe was a year ahead of me," Grygo said.

Theismann's "can-do attitude" was an inspiration to Grygo and his teammates, and was apparent in his recovery from a shoulder separation injury.

"He worked out, and over the course of time he came back stronger than ever," Grygo said. "He always maintains a can-do attitude despite the odds."

After achieving all-state and all-American status at South River High School, Theismann was accepted to the University of Notre Dame.

"People said, 'That is great, but he'll never play,' " Grygo said, adding that Theismann went on to set passing records at the university and earned runner-up status for the 1970 Heisman Trophy.

The Miami Dolphins drafted Theismann in 1971, but rather than go into the NFL, Theismann joined the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in order to get more playing time and stay competitive, according to Grygo.

In 1974, Theismann joined the Washington Redskins, starting as a punt returner before going on to the head quarterback position.

"He had a stellar career there," Grygo said.

Theismann led the Redskins to a win in Super Bowl XVII and an appearance in the following year's Super Bowl, and would go on to set several Redskins franchise records, before suffering a career-ending injury in 1985.

Theismann later became a sports announcer and play-by-play commentator for ESPN and other networks.

"I have got so much respect for Mr. Theismann, it is hard to contain," Grygo said. "We appreciate him most of all for the fact that he has not forgotten where he comes from."

Theismann closed his letter to Grygo with an expression of appreciation to the borough that he grew up in.

"God has blessed me in so many ways," Theismann wrote. "One for sure was growing up in South River."