PORT CLINTON- Tim Green has written 34 books, with a 35th planned for release in March 2017.

He first made his name on the football field, but Green is now known more for his penchant for words and skill in promoting literacy to students across the country.

The former NFL football player visited Port Clinton Monday night, where he spoke about his doggedness in the face of initial rejection by publishing houses and the importance of reading for children.

“Books for me, when I was young, were magic,” Green told the audience of about 50 people at the Port Clinton Performing Arts Center.

The Friends of Ida Rupp Public Library hosted the former NFL player and bestselling author at their Second Community Read.

Green said he was equally passionate about football and books as a child, with a dream of becoming a writer.

A New York Times bestselling author, Green was an eight-year NFL defensive starter with the Atlanta Falcons, a TV personality, and an attorney.

The NFL retiree called reading “weightlifting for your brain,” at the start of his presentation Monday. Since he began writing books for kids in 2007, Green has sold over a million copies and made more than 1,000 school visits, speaking to nearly a half million kids across the United States.

He said his latest book, “Left Out,” will be released in two weeks. Green said retired New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter approached him earlier this year about co-authoring a book about baseball.

“He was wonderful. What a wonderful person,” Green said of Jeter.

Green said everything he’s been able to do with his life came more from hard work than talent. He stressed the need for kids to invest in their education and intellect as they follow their dreams.

After his NFL career ended, Green said he poured himself into his writing and took five years to write his first novel. He estimated he was rejected by 70 publishing houses, but didn’t stop until he finally broke through and got published.

Green acknowledged some people have written him off as a writer, but he said he had made himself better through diligence and hard work.

For kids, reading makes them smarter, better in school, kinder and more tolerant of others, Green said.

Mario Guerra brought his grandson, Alayis, to see Green speak Monday.

Both held copies of books written by Green and posed for photos with the author before his presentation.

Guerra said his grandson was interested in football and picked up some of Green’s books at the library.

“I think this is a good experience for him. Being that he (Green) was sports, this will be a good influence for him,” Guerra said.

Daniel Carson, Reporter

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter:@DanielCarson7