Syracuse All-American and Super Bowl Champion Dwight Freeney had a day of celebration in his honor in Hartford. Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell proclaimed Monday, March 26, 2007 "Dwight Freeney Day", in recognition of his contributions to his community, as well as his professional achievements. More than 200 people attended the event at the state Capitol, which was sponsored by the African-American Affairs Commission and its' executive director, Glenn Kassis. As part of the ceremony, Bloomfield High School Director of Athletics Tammy Schondelmayer retired Freeney's #44 football high school jersey.
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Dwight Freeney's Bloomfield High School jersey was retired by BHS Athletics Director Tammy Schondelmayer (right). |
"Nobody else will wear #44 at Bloomfield High School," Schondelmayer said. "We have his high school jersey framed and hanging in our gymnasium. Dwight is a great ambassador for athletics, Bloomfield High School and the state of Connecticut."
In addition to Kassis and Schondelmayer, Bloomfield Mayor Sidney Schulman, Bloomfield legistlators Kenneth Green, Faith McMahon and Eric Coleman, and Syracuse University Connecticut Alumni Association president Stan Kontogiannis participated in the ceremony.
"Dwight is so down to earth," Schondelmayer said. "He is very approachable and is always smiling. He remembers his roots and comes back to visit us. He just
shows up at the school and visits with his teachers. One of his favorite teachers is Valerie Gange, the chair of the science department and a biology teacher. He is the kind of person you want to be around."
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SU Connecticut Alumni Association President Stan Kontogiannis (left) attended the "Dwight Freeney Day" events.
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After Freeney's appearance at the state Capitol, he visited Bloomfield High School, where he signed autographs and participated in an assembly in his honor.
"After giving a talk to all of the students about academics and life and answering students' questions, Dwight interacted with the students one-on-one and signing autographs for quite a while," Schondelmayer said.
Freeney, who played varsity soccer as a freshman, decided to play football after former Bloomfield High School coach Jack Cochran approached him in the winter and asked him to consider competing on the gridiron. During the spring of his freshman year, Freeney played baseball and participated in spring football.
At Syracuse, Freeney holds the NCAA career records for sacks per game (1.61 per game) and the Syracuse single-game and single-season sacks records. In addition, Freeney holds the Syracuse standard for the most fumbles forced and the most fumbles forced and recovered. His eight forced fumbles in 2001 ranks second on the NCAA Division I record list.
The Indianapolis Colts, who drafted Freeney with the 11th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, put the "franchise" tag on Freeney after the Super Bowl. (
click here to read more)
Prior to the Super Bowl, Freeney was a guest on ESPN's Hot Seat, which was previewed on ESPN Radio's 'Mike & Mike in the Morning' (
click here).