Even though 4-year UCLA Quarterback Cory Paus graduated in December, he's still willing and eager to speak with kids about life, learning, and loving football. On April 8, 2003, Cory Paus took time off of training for the NFL to visit The Country Elementary School in North Hollywood to talk with them about the importance of education, athletics and discipline, and the balance between them.
As the K-6 graders gathered on the blacktop before their snack time, they were most anxious to ask the former QB some interesting questions. One 2nd grade girl asked "What encouraged you to play football?", as other 4th grade students inquired "Did you ever have long hair?" and "Do you have a dog?". Paus' followed up questions such as "What age did you start playing football?" by encouraging the students to get involved in as much as possible as early as possible.
This was the first public speaking engagement Paus has participated in since his injury during the 2002 Football season. As the kids oohed and aahed at the scar which was left on Paus' lower leg, he went on to speak about the safety and risks that playing football possesses.
After the general question and answer session by the students, Paus followed many of the students into the grassy play area, called "the meadow" to play a brief game of football. The kids were lined up on 2 different teams as Paus called out the plays and threw it to the students who were fighting to catch a ball by the UCLA QB. After the game concluded, autographs were given out to every student at Country Elementary.
Paus' last words to the kids before he left were that he really hoped that they had listened to what he had said about education and motivation and how important those elements are in life. Then the kids all waved goodbye to Cory as he exited the playing field.