Eric Ebron of the Detroit Lions (left) and Vinny Curry of the Philadelphia Eagles (right)
The students of the Ocean City Primary School received a rare treat on Thursday of last week, when NFL stars Eric Ebron of the Detroit Lions and Vinny Curry of the Philadelphia Eagles paid a visit.
The two players, in town to work out with local personal trainer John Porter, were invited by Porter’s wife Erin, a teacher at the school.
Ray Clark, an Ocean City firefighter who also trains with Porter, was at the school when the players arrived to take part in an assembly before a large portion of the student body.
“These guys are very down to earth and they were very happy to be there,” Clark said. “they interacted with the kids, signed autographs and even hung out a bit after school when the parents were picking up the students. They spent a large portion of the school day there. When the assembly was over, they visited individual classes”
Ebron is a 6-4, 260-lb. tight end who will be entering his second season in the NFL after being drafted in the first round, ninth overall, out of the University of North Carolina. Curry is a four-year veteran 6-3, 275 defensive end drafted in the second round out of Marshall University. He is an Eagles fan favorite and recently signed a multi-year contract extension with the Eagles.
Vinny Curry reads to the children at the Ocean City Primary School
Both players are members of a growing legion of professional athletes who train extensively with Porter, a resident of Upper Township who often holds training sessions at the Ocean City LOCal gym on Asbury Ave., near 9
th St.
During their recent visit to town they enjoyed slipping out of their daily training routine to spend some quality time with the kids.
Clark, who was in the primary school doing CPR work at the time of the visit, said the players read passages from the Dr. Seuss classic “Oh, the Places You'll Go!” and the children dressed for a career or occupation that they aspire to.
There were doctors, lawyers, and firemen, Clark was happy to point out, and yes, even a few football players.
It was a day the staff, students and parents will long remember, Clark said.
Eric Ebron reads to the children at the Ocean City Primary School
