Several Jacksonville Jaguars' players and cheerleaders visited 25 military dependent fifth-graders from
Joseph Finegan Elementary as they participated in a field trip to Winn-Dixie and Academy Sports and Outdoors.
The lucky students were chosen based on their status as a military dependent and based on the number of books they have read thus far in the school year. By reading it forward, these fifth-graders were given the opportunity to spend the day with quarterback Blaine Gabbert, tight end Zach Miller, quarterback Luke McCown, mascot Jaxson de Ville and the Roar cheerleaders.
"We are happy to spend some time with you today because of all your parents do to protect our country," said Blaine Gabbert.
The field trip began with a luncheon at the Winn-Dixie store in Girvin Plaza. The students and Jaguars then continued onto Academy Sports and Outdoors. Students surprised Gabbert with a student-signed football, thanking him for hosting the luncheon.
"They are always signing footballs for people and we thought it would be nice to give him one," said Principal Alan Due.
Thank you to the Jacksonville Jaguars for supporting the Duval County reading initiative and assisting our military families! Happy holidays!
To view pictures from the luncheon and shopping spree, visit the
DCPS' flickr photostream.
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