The NFL partnered with the JC Penney Afterschool Fund, and not only did the winner get to spend the day with his favorite quarterback, so did his classmates.

When Brent's mother entered him in the contest several months ago, little did they realize how exciting winning was going to be. Brent, a third-grader at Terrytown Academy, received word about two months ago that he had won the contest and that one of the Saints players would be coming to spend the day with him at school. At that time, he was not told who the player would be, and he was also asked to keep the whole thing a secret.

"That part was really hard," said Kelly Rodriguez, Brent's mom. "He did a really great job. It was hard for the whole family not to say anything, but we kept the secret. Brent only told his best friend, who agreed to keep the secret."

Just several days before the big day finally arrived, Brent and his family were told that the player would be Drew Brees.

"He's coming to pick me up in a limo and bring me to school," Brent said on the morning of Dec. 2. Outside his house, throwing the Football around with his two older brothers, Evan and James, Brent didn't seem nervous at all about his expected company.

As the large, black limo parked in front of his house, neighbors craned their necks to see who would get out. You could see many surprised faces in the neighborhood as they recognized the famous quarterback. Getting out of the limo with a huge smile on his face, Brees was soon throwing the Football with the boys and laughing and talking with them.

"After playing a game this weekend, I was looking forward to being off today and spending the day with you and your friends," Brees said as he threw the ball to Brent.

Brees was invited in by Brent's parents, Kelly and Earl Rodriguez, and soon made himself at home in the family kitchen while he signed autographs for the family. Then it was time to head to school. Brent and his two brothers rode in the limo to school with Brees.

Students at the school had been told the day before that Brent had won the contest and that one of the Saints players would be bringing him to their school today, but they were not told who that player would be. As the limo arrived members of the school's dance team were outside ready to cheer, and when Brent emerged from the limo followed by Brees the cheers became deafening.

Terrytown Academy owner Velma Gutierrez and school Principal Gina Connor welcomed Brees to their school and arranged a school assembly for his introduction. The school has around 280 students in pre-k through eighth grade.

"This is the first time someone from our school has ever won something like this," Gutierrez said. "We're all very excited. The rest of the school is waiting at the assembly; they still don't know who the player will be."

Brees and Brent waited inside the school as his family and guests joined the rest of the school outside. Connor introduced the first speaker for the assembly, Mike Benson, store manager of JC Penney in Oakwood Center. Benson said that the JCPenney Afterschool Fund promotes the academic, physical and social development of children in after-school centers nationwide.

"I am happy to announce that both the NFL and JC Penney will each donate $1,000 to Terrytown Academy," Benson said. "I'd also like to introduce the winner of the Take a Player to School contest, your fellow classmate, Brent Rodriguez."

Brent shyly approached the microphone accompanied by his older sister, Michaela. "I would like to introduce my new friend, Drew Brees," Brent said. The neighborhood must have wondered what was going on as the volume at the school assembly accelerated. Students and teachers alike were thrilled with their guest.

Brees told the students how happy he was to be there with them. He explained about preparing for a game and how much work is involved. Brees told the assembly that the NFL supports a "Play 60" program, which promotes children to spend at least 60 minutes each day doing outside activities that involve movement or exercise. He encouraged the students to be active and to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Then Brees held a question-and-answer session with the students. They asked, "What made you decide to play Football?" "Where did you go to college?" "How important is exercise?" "What would you be doing if you didn't play Football?" Brees explained that the most important thing to plan about your future is to get a good education. He explained to the students that no matter what you want to be, you must start with a good foundation, and that's a good education. "School is 100 percent important," Brees said.

"Pick a college that will give you the very best education that you can get. I learned so much in college, more than just how to play Football. I learned things that have helped me to be where I am today."

Brees shared with the students the story of some of the people who influenced during his childhood.

"The best two quarterbacks ever were Joe Montana and Troy Aikman. They were the ones that made me dream of being a quarterback," Brees said.

Another idol from his youth was baseball player Ted Williams.

"Ted Williams was a lefty. I used to watch old films so I could learn to swing like him. I would throw with my right hand, but I'd bat with my left like Ted Williams. He was so great," Brees said. "Do you know what number Ted Williams wore? No. 9. Yes, I wear No. 9 in honor of Ted Williams."

Brent and his classmates in the third grade were soon highlighted again, as the rest of the school was dismissed from the assembly and returned to their classes while the third-grade class was treated to an hour of outside play with Brees in the school yard. Brees had the children do a series of stretching exercises, run patterns around cones, throw footballs and several other activities in the school yard.

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Sandra Laborie is a Gretna resident who writes about people and events of community interest. She can be reached at 504.368-2666, or e-mail her at gretnagazing@yahoo.com