Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 5-28-19

Features
Athlete Discusses His Path To The Draft And Beyond
A Tampa native, Ventell Bryant attended local schools. He was a wide re- ceiver at Jefferson High School and helped lead his team to a 10-2 record during his final season there, while also graduating with honors.
After graduation, he played for Temple, where he was redshirted as a freshman. He went on to appear in every game as a sophomore.
His college career was nothing less than impressive, earning the opportunity to wear a single-digit jersey dur- ing his sophomore and senior seasons. The single-digit jer- sey denotes being one of the nine toughest players on the team.
The young athlete went on to become Temple’s All Time Receiving Yard and Re- ception Leader. He is now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bryant’s story is inspir- ing for the people and chil- dren growing up in Tampa.
“If opportunity doesn’t
knock, build a door.” This is exactly what Temple wide re- ceiver Bryant did on his journey to make it in the NFL.
Following his final season at Temple, Bryant knew he would pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. He trained vigorously, chose rep- resentation, prepared for Pro Day and looked forward to hearing his name called on Draft Day.
During his path, Bryant always knew that he would play in the NFL. It didn’t matter how or when he got there, he was destined to make a squad.
Last month, 3 days passed without his hearing his name called. It was disappointing, but it was not the end. He knew with his skill set and proven statistics, he would land on a team at least as an Undrafted Free Agent.
Although as hometown friends and college team- mates signed with teams, Bryant still remained un-
VENTELL BRYANT
spoken for.
With continued support
and total conviction from his family and parents, Oscar Bryant and Luz Lebron, as well as his faith in God, Bryant kept his head high and stayed positive about his future.
During this transition phase and in trying to secure an NFL contract that Bryant chose to switch representa- tion to Tampa-native, Chris Martin and OTG Sports Management. Following the
change up, Bryant was in- vited to not only one Rookie Mini Camp, but had two of- fers —- the Cincinnati Ben- gals and the New Orleans Saints.
After weighing his op- tions, Bryant chose to at- tend the Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Mini Camp, knowing it would be his best option to earn a contract. After only one morning of practice, Bryant signed with the team.
It wasn’t the most clear-
cut path, but Bryant never let himself stop focusing on the ultimate goal.
Now as a member of the Bengals, Bryant looks for- ward to continuing to prove himself on the field every day and the dream of making the Bengals 53-Man Roster as an Undrafted Free Agent.
Knowing he has the op- portunity in front of him and the most difficult steps are in the past, Bryant looks for- ward to a career in the NFL as an elite Wide Receiver.
City And Recreation Host Fifth Annual Play And Stay
The City Parks and Recre- ation Departments will host their 5th Annual Play & Stay Summer Program. It will begin May 31st, at selected recreation centers around the City of Tampa.
The chosen locations will hold extended hours. These extended hours will provide teens with free Rec Cards, which allows access to these recreation centers, different programs to participate in, and a variety of educational events.
Since the inception of our Stay & Play Program, over 250,000 teens have visited our various centers and pools. Stay & Play aims to provide teens a place to be active, safe, and healthy. Food will be pro- vided for free as well as trans- portation home when available from the Parks and Recreation Department.
The Stay And Play Pro- gram provides a broad range of programs dedicated to helping young adults uncover real-life skills needed to achieve great success, and en- joying classes and activities such as: Computer coding classes, Teen intermural sports, Athletic training/ leagues, Fun Fridays, Music production classes, Anger management classes, and many more.
Locations Participating In Stay & Play
These locations will re- main open until midnight, 7 days a week:
Copeland Community Center (Pool remains open until 8PM on select days)
Cyrus Greene Commu- nity Center (Pool remains open until 8PM on select days)
Desoto Community
Center (Spicola pool will re- main open until 8PM Monday – Thursday & 10PM on Friday and Saturday)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Cen- ter (Pool remains open until 8PM on select days)
Grant Park Activity Center
Gwendolyn Miller Community Center
Jackson Heights Com- munity Center
Springhill Community Center
Williams Park Pool will remain open until 8 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
Other events that will be held during Stay & Play are: Skating Field Trip, Teen Court, Anti-Bullying Lectures, Speakers including former and current athletes, Tampa Police, local businesses, Fire Department, and Parks and Recreational Staff, Fashion Shows, Athletic Events, End of Summer Party, Recording Studio, and Future Leaders Training, which includes re- sume preparation, interview- ing skills, and educational opportunities
Anyone interested in vol- unteering can contact the Parks and Recreational De- partment or visit one of the participating Stay & Play sites for further information.
The valued community partners are Friends of Tampa Recreation, Safe and Sound of Hillsborough County, Computer Mentors, Derrick Brooks Charities, East Tampa initiate, Professional Mentor and Mentees, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Men of Tomorrow, and a host of other agencies committed to empowering our youth of tomorrow.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019