I am so excited to share this TED Talk given by athlete and creative genius, Martellus Bennett. On a personal note, my huband plays basketball with him. This video is as authentic as it gets and is an inspiration for all kids. Please listen and share with your classroom if appropriate. You will love his talent, animation, work and above all…he will just make you smile.

New England Patriots and recent Chicago Bears tightend who has struggled with incessant creativity since birth. Martellus looks to improve the public perception of NFL players by allowing himself to be seen and accepted for more than just a super athlete – but also as a creative professional dabbling in children’s books, animated films, fashion, and music.

Martellus Bennett is an American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Bennett was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M.

Bennett has also played for the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. He is the younger brother of Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett.

At the time of this recording, Martellus Bennett played tight end for the Chicago Bears in the NFL, but that was only his part time job. His interests beyond sports lie primarily in creative arts, where he is a published author of animated children’s books, producer of cartoon feature films, and a host of other *off the wall* projects.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.