Schools
Former NY Jet Brings Love of Sports to Park View Elementary
Wesley Walker teaches physical education classes for Kings Park students.
A former New York Jets wide receiver is sharing his passion for sports with Kings Park students.
Wesley Walker, 58, is one of a small group of former professional athletes who have become physical education teachers on Long Island, Newsday reports. Walker is a physical education teacher at Park View Elementary School.
Walker was first drafted by the New York Jets in 1977, where he caught caught 438 passes for 8,306 yards and 71 touchdowns in 13 seasons.
Upon hanging up his jersey, he's been teaching at Park View for the last 14 years.
Scott Tinley, a former professional triathlete and founder of San Diego State University's Athlete Retirement Institute, told Newsday that Walker's post-NFL career choice is rare.
"I know hundreds of professional athletes who have coached . . . at the secondary level," Tinley told Newsday. "I cannot think of one who has gone on to embark on a post-athletic career that includes a full-time commitment to elementary school."
Read more on Newsday [subscription required] about Walker and other former professional athletes teaching on Long Island.
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