Kids ‘get fit’ with Arizona Cardinal’s Keilen Dykes

Standing together, the two couldn’t have been more different.

One was petite and pig-tailed, the other massive and muscled. One was learning to read, the other was learning to chase down quarterbacks. But on this day, both had a common goal…to get outside, exercise and have some fun!

Chandler Hathaway was one of nearly 100 kindergarten students at Saddleback Elementary School who were on hand to meet one of the newest Arizona Cardinals, defensive tackle Keilen Dykes.

Chandler’s mother, Karra Hathaway, was a volunteer for the “junior training camp.” She was excited to host the Arizona Cardinals in Maricopa.

“It’s nice to see Maricopa put on the map a little bit. I think this is a great thing,” Hathaway said. “Chandler had a great time running through the different obstacles. She loved it.”

Dykes joined dozens of volunteers and parents to put the kindergarteners through several football-type drills and exercises. Even Cardinal mascot Big Red made an appearance, tossing balls to the kids and posing for photos.

“I’m glad they can do this for the kids, it’s fun. I wish I would have had something like this when I was growing up,” Dykes said.

Dykes, who grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, understands that young people look up to professional athletes.

“This is why I like doing these events. It gives the kids something to shoot for,” Dykes said. “It’s a blessing to be playing football in the National Football League. It was always my dream. It’s a great thing to be able to do what you love.”

Cardinals’ Mo Streety, or Coach Mo as he’s known, does similar events throughout the Valley.

“We do a several a week, or about 100 programs each year,” Streety said. “It’s a good time out here. Great volunteers, great parents, we got a wonderful welcome.”

How’d Maricopa stack up against other schools? “You’re in the top 10, easily!” Streety said.

The Cardinals brought out all the “training” equipment, including footballs, mats, tackle dummies, pylons, and step netting. The interactive play area was divided into five stations, each teaching a different non-contact football skill as well as catching and throwing.

After exercising and posing for photos with Dykes, all the students were treated to Gatorade and each child received an Arizona Cardinal cap.

Saddleback Elementary Principal Jamye Amick said the students will learn a lot from the event.

“One of the things they’ll learn is discipline. It’s demonstrated to them what you can do if you set your mind to a certain goal and how you can achieve it,” Amick said. “They’re learning team building, listening skills, rotating, and following directions. They’re going to benefit all around from it.”

For young Chandler, a career in the NFL might not be realistic her mother says: “But a cheerleader? Absolutely what she wants to do!”

About Keilen Dykes:

Position: defensive tackle
Age: 25
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 305 lbs.
College: West Virginia University
Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio

Photos by Jim Williams