From Super Bowl champ to children's author: Malcolm Mitchell inspires young readers at KCS

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — Former Super Bowl champion and children's book author Malcolm Mitchell visited Kennebunkport Consolidated School (KCS) on Friday to share his personal journey with literacy and inspire students to embrace reading.

"Reading was the most self-empowering tool to possess," Mitchell told students during his presentation, which was funded by the Kennebunkport Consolidated PTA and coordinated by KCS teacher Taylor Boucher.

Mitchell, a former New England Patriots wide receiver who won Super Bowl LI in 2017, has transformed his platform from professional athlete to literacy advocate. After facing his own reading struggles, Mitchell founded the Share the Magic Foundation to promote youth literacy.

During his visit, Mitchell engaged with enthusiastic students and distributed copies of his book, "The Magician's Hat." Mitchell said the book is meant to inspire young readers to chase their dreams and to overcome obstacles.

"I grew up thinking football was the most important thing in the world, and I realized that it was not," Mitchell said. "Reading was something that was much more sustainable."

Mitchell noted he was particularly impressed by "the excitement and energy" of the Kennebunkport students.

Since retiring from the NFL in 2018, Mitchell has dedicated himself to promoting literacy through school visits, his foundation's programming, and his work as an author. His Read with Malcolm literacy initiatives have reached thousands of young readers across the country.

For more information about Mitchell's literacy work, visit malcolmmitchell.com.