Students at Place Middle School met Denver Broncos cornerback Dré Bly on Tuesday in an all-school assembly, after hearing news that their school would become a K-8 program with a “welcome center” for kids new to the country.
Bly had adopted the school before he knew the details of changes unveiled this week for 13 Denver public schools.
Regardless of the school’s configuration, Bly said he will pay for after-school tutors and has donated game tickets to be given to good students.
He will also provide Thanksgiving dinners for struggling students. “This is a positive shot in the arm for these kids when they needed it the most,” principal Keith Mills said.
Bly, 30, is in his first year with the Broncos and his ninth year in the National Football League.
He said he makes it a point to give back. His parents were teachers and he created a foundation designed to improve education through physical excellence.
“My goal is to help get them to the next level,” Bly said, adding that he wanted to help an inner city school that needed a boost.
He did not know about the new plans for Place, but he hopes he can help the students affected by the change get through it.
“There’s always going to be some adversity and hard times,” he said. “Everyone has obstacles to overcome. It doesn’t mean they have to tank it. It can be an adventure. They can meet new people.”
