The NFL’s Jerricho Cotchery Is Coming to Town: Birmingham Public Library to Host “Score Big” with Pittsburgh Steelers’ Wide Receiver and Birmingham native Jerricho Cotchery

The Birmingham Public Library is excited to host “Score Big”with the Cotchery Foundation. Jerricho Cotchery, one of Birmingham’s native sons, has teamed up with the Library to host yet another amazing series ofevents for 2012’s Teen Summer Reading Program, “Own the Night.”

Born in 1982, Cotchery grew up to be an incredible athlete. He excelled at Phillips High School in Birmingham and attended North Carolina State University. The New York Jets drafted him in 2004 and the Pittsburgh Steelers added him to the roster beginning in 2010. For his career, he has compiled 374 receptions for 4,751 yards. In layman’s terms, he’s “the man” and the library is lucky to partner with him.

Named for the famous Biblical city, Jerricho is deeply committed to his faith and to community outreach. He was moved to start the Cotchery Foundation in January 2007 as a result of his own personal memories and experiences growing up. He and his foundation have set out to “show that anyone can do extraordinary things if they have the desire and passion.” Cotchery has made it his mission to show that any individual can make a significant difference in the lives of others.

He would like to encourage all students ages 11 to 18 to read by participating in the 2012 summer reading program. BPL has a record-breaking number of registrants for the Teen Tailgate party Friday night and the “Skills and Drills” football clinic Saturday. Registration for these two events is closed, but Birmingham teens can still meet Jerricho during two free “Jam Sessions” this week, to be held at the following times and locations:

10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 21, at BPL’s Smithfield Library Branch

10:00 a.m. Friday, June 22, at BPL’s Avondale Regional Library Branch

For more information, please contact your nearest BPL location. Jerricho and the Birmingham Public Library both look forward to seeing you this week.

You can also follow Jerricho on Twitter at @cotcheryfoundat and the library @BPL!!