Eagles running back, author tells Delaware kids about overcoming odds to be an NFL legend

Martin Frank and Benjamin Chambers, Delaware News Journal
·2 min read
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BRANDYWINE HUNDRED − Eagles great Brian Westbrook read from his children's book "The Mouse That Played Football" to more than 100 children at the Brandywine Hundred Library on Friday.

Westbrook detailed how the book mirrored his career as an undersized player who became an Eagles legend.

Westbrook, listed at 5-foot-10, was the Eagles' third-round draft pick in 2002 out of Villanova, an FCS school far from the limelight of the power football schools. In the book, Westbrook shows how the mouse proves everyone wrong with unyielding confidence that his small size can be his strength.

In eight seasons with the Eagles, Westbrook was selected to the Pro Bowl twice. His best season was in 2007 when he led the NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage. In all, Westbrook ranks third in team history with 5,995 rushing yards.

Parent and children take pictures with Brian Westbrook Sr., 42, first-time author and former Philadelphia Eagles running back, after reading from his children's book "The Mouse That Played Football," at the Brandywine Hundred Library in Wilmington, Del., Friday, August 12, 2022. "We try to read a book to leave a message, to leave a legacy with them so they can understand these are the important things in life," said Westbrook to a capacity crowd of family and children.

“Never allow someone’s expectation of you dictate to you how you are going to be successful in life," Westbrook told the kids. "You have the ability to control your future. You have the ability to ensure the things that you work for, you will become. So your hard work, your determination, your sacrifice, your dedication to that thing is going to determine whether you can be that or not.

"So many people think if certain things about a person − for me it was my size,  sometimes it was my speed, sometimes it was my weight. They thought of that as a weakness. I always viewed those things as my strengths. And so sometimes I have to use things that people perceive as weaknesses and turn them into strengths.

"So make sure you use whatever you have to your advantage to make sure that you can be successful.”

Westbrook co-wrote the book with sports reporter Lesley Van Arsdell. Mr. Tom, from West Chester, Pennsylvania, provided the illustrations. Westbrook makes regular broadcast appearances in addition to his charity work with the Brian Westbrook Foundation and speaking engagements.

A capacity crowd of children and family listen to Brian Westbrook Sr., 42, first-time author and former Philadelphia Eagles running back, read from his children's book "The Mouse That Played Football," at the Brandywine Hundred Library in Wilmington, Del., Friday, August 12, 2022. "We try to read a book to leave a message, to leave a legacy with them so they can understand these are the important things in life," said Westbrook to a capacity crowd of family and children.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles' Brian Westbrook reads to Delaware kids about beating odds