The room filled with the chords of “Bear Down Chicago Bears” and hundreds of elementary school students started screaming as Kyle Fuller, the Chicago Bears starting corner back, walked into the gymnasium at John Middleton Elementary School in Skokie on Friday afternoon.
Fuller, 26, stopped by to help the school celebrate getting the U.S. Healthier Challenge Gold Distinction award, given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in recognition of the school’s efforts to serve students nutritious food and increase their physical activity, school officials said.
But he also shared words of wisdom about working hard in school and treasuring family.
“Just strive to be great,” Fuller told the students as he recalled playing with his friends during recess and physcial education class when he was the students’ age.
Then the kids took their turns asking questions of Fuller.
“Do you have anything cool or awesome?” asked first grader Anya Khan, whose question was pulled out of a bucket from a pool of dozens.
“I have a cool family,” Fuller replied. “I have three brothers that all play in the NFL.”
Kendall Fuller, 23, is a Kansas City Chiefs cornerback, while 27-year-old wide receiver Corey Fuller — who is now a free agent — played the 2016 season for the New Orleans Saints. Vincent Fuller, 35, is a former Tennessee Titans safety.
“How did you feel playing for the first time?” asked second grader Carly Mann.
“I was a little nervous to succeed,” Fuller replied.
“What inspired you to play football?” asked fourth grader Delilah Mora.
“My older brother played football,” Fuller replied. “I wanted to be similar to him.”
Teachers, staff and students packed the gymnasium in orange and blue Chicago Bears T-shirts, sweatshirts, old jerseys and one foam orange and blue bear hat.
Bears jerseys featured last names of players from across the decades, including Walter Payton and Brian Urlacher, Jay Cutler and Julius Peppers.
Two students showed up decked out in Green Bay Packers gear, the Chicago Bears’ arch rival.
Middleton school’s physical education department connected with Fuller for the assembly through a mutual friend of teacher Katie Chalmers, the teacher said.
Out of of over 3,000 applicants, only 36 schools in the country earned similar distinction awards in the U.S. Healthier Challenge, and Middleton wanted to celebrate, school leaders said.
“We wanted to throw a big event and have a special guest,” said P.E. teacher Kerry Santefort.
They asked for Fuller because he’s a good role model for students, and because he’s a starter on the team so more kids might recognize him, said P.E. teacher Diane McWherter.
Fuller gave a short speech to students before taking questions and hosting a football tossing contest, where he caught balls thrown by students through two hula hoops hanging from a basketball hoop in the gym.
Those selected to ask questions or toss footballs took home a Chicago Bears football signed by Fuller.
The cornerback ended the assembly with a high-five or a handshake for each kid as they left the gym.
After the gathering Fuller said he talks to school kids “wherever I’m presented with the opportunity,” and the Middleton group was one of the youngest he’d visited.
As for the screaming welcome, “that was the craziest part,” Fuller chuckled, adding that he could hear the kids yelling for him through the gym doors before he walked in.
