He plays for the Seattle Seahawks, but Michael Boulware had the Giants on his mind Friday. (March 23)
Back at Northeast Richland’s Polo Road Park, where his football career began, the three-year NFL veteran’s head filled with memories of a championship team.
“I remember my last year here,” Boulware said. “We played on the Giants. We had an undefeated team. It was just a great experience for me. Other than last season’s run to the Super Bowl, that was the greatest team I’ve ever played on in my life.”
Thanks to matching $5,000 donations by Michael and his older brother, former Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker Peter Boulware, kids attempting to follow in their footsteps will get a big-time experience playing in the Northeast Columbia Football Association at Polo Road Park.
Michael Boulware was back in town Friday for the dedication of a new digital scoreboard that is already operational at the Polo Road Park football field. For the ceremony, the scoreboard displayed 28 (Michael) on the guest side with 58 (Peter) on the home side, honoring the brothers’ jersey numbers.
On the back is a sign featuring color action photos of the Boulware brothers, including a shot of Michael intercepting a pass during the Seahawks’ loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL.
Officials from the Richland County Recreation Commission and the Northeast Columbia Football Association used Friday’s 45-minute ceremony to thank the Boulware’s for making the scoreboard a reality.
“I just want to thank the family and the Boulware brothers for giving back to the community,” Richland County Recreation Commission Chairman Charles Epps said. “They are setting an example of love and caring and sharing of what God has blessed them with.”
A fundraiser by the players brought in $3,500, but with price estimates around $15,000, the project may have died without the Boulware donations. Richland County Recreation Commission employees installed the scoreboard, which further defrayed costs.
“This project is a fine example of community involvement and partnership,” Northeast Columbia Football Association president David Dawson said. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of many people, it all came together for the most important portion of the community, the children.”
By Steve Wiseman, courtesy of TheState.com
Photographs by David Rowell, courtesy of Rowell Media Services
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