It might be the offseason, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are not holding back when it comes to making a positive impact in the community. Two weeks into the Jaguars offseason conditioning program, several players made special appearances yesterday at schools across the First Coast.

"Just like the character Michael Maxwell in the story I read to you today, you can do great things in life if you take the challenges that life brings your way and turn them into something positive. Aim big and dream high, and most of all read as much as you can…it's amazing how much of an imagination you'll attain if you read," said Pro Bowl cornerback Rashean Mathis after reading to a third grade class at Timucuan Elementary.

A group of second graders from Grace Episcopal Day School were treated to a pizza party by Kenny Pettway yesterday. He had visited the school last season and received a large thank you card expressing how much they enjoyed his visit.

"I was so touched by the thank you card the students made for me I wanted to do something in return for their kind gesture," Pettway said. "No one has ever done anything like that for me before. The card has been framed and is hanging on the wall in my game room at home."

Nick Sorensen and Terry Cousin also left imprints in the community yesterday. Sorensen spoke with a group of students at Alimacani Elementary along with the team's nutritionist to encourage children to eat healthy and stay fit. Cousin spent his morning at an All Pro Dads Event encouraging dads to be better fathers. The event was sponsored by the Episcopal Children's Services.

Oceanway Middle School extended a warm welcome yesterday to the newest Jaguars lineman Tony Pashos. Pashos spoke to a sixth grade class about the importance of reading and the benefits of hard work.