Oct 5, 2006 3:25 pm US/Mountain
Broncos' Mustard Also Is A Certified Math Teacher
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4/DenverBroncos.com) ―
Kids can be cruel and a substitute teacher is often in for a long day of misbehavior and mischief.
But what happens when the teacher is 6-foot-6, 270 pounds and has played professional football?
"I get a little more respect," tight end Chad Mustard said.
More than just a football player, Mustard is also a certified math teacher.
He said teaching is a way for him to give back to the community, which is what he plans to do when his football career comes to a close.
He switched from the offensive line to tight end in training camp and has played in every game thus far for the Broncos.
"I wasn't always on the right path when I was younger," he said. "I had a couple of people kind of straighten me out in a positive way and show me that I could do things differently.
"Hopefully once I'm done playing football - hopefully that's awhile from now - I can influence kids in the same manner."
Mustard was on the bubble this past training camp and he knows he could be back to teaching at any time.
His said his love for the classroom has given him a level of comfort, knowing that he has another passion if football doesn't work out. However, he's always kept his focus on the gridiron, playing wherever he could - including the Omaha Beef of the United Indoor Football Association.
"The Omaha Beef provided me an opportunity to play football after college," the former University of North Dakota player said. "We had games where guys had to miss because of work or whatever, because it's a $200 a game league. But it was a great experience. I loved it. It was actually an opportunity for me to develop some confidence and say 'Hey, there is a possibility that I can play this for a living and really do it.'"
Now with the Broncos, the former and future teacher shares his love of learning with a slightly older group.
"Football is a game of communications and education - you've got to educate your guys on what you want them to do and what the game plan is," Mustard said. "Everyone learns differently. That's the biggest thing."
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