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All Sports Founder Visits White House

Written by Leon B. Crews, FL Sentinel - Monday, 29 September 2008

As founder of All Sports Community Service, Incorporated, Tyrone Keys doesn't want to be the focus of attention. He doesn't want to be celebrated. He definitely doesn't want the work he does in the community to be politically connected.

So when he was invited to Washington, D.C. to be a guest at the White House, he demanded his presence not be a political venture.

Keys was part of groups recognized for their work in the community through volunteerism when he and his family attended a ceremony September 8th.

President George Bush spoke to those in attendance, praising them on their work in the community and then awarding them with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

On receiving the award, Keys said, "It was quite an honor to learn so much about the history of service and how each president, from Roosevelt to the current one, strengthens each others' programs.

"From the late President John F. Kennedy, who started the Peace Corps, to former President Bill Clinton's American Corps, there has been a commitment by the government to make sure the projects going on in the community are recognized."

Keys said the grass roots nature of the ceremony is what attracted him to appear and bring his family.

"For us to be one of the grass root organizations recognized was great. I recalled that my father was a foster grandparent during the final year of his life, and I was reminded of that at this event."

Keys is a former NFL defensive end who played for the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers. He was a member of the Bears' Super Bowl XX team.