Special to South Florida Times
WEST PALM BEACH — He’s been playing football since he was a toddler and grew up to become a standout player at Pahokee High, FSU and in the NFL.
Anquan Boldin’s talent and hard work was recognized Sunday, March 25 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center when he was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame.
Also inducted into the Hall of Fame were Kevin Butler, Willie Goldsmith Sr., Jessie Hester, Eric Kresser, Rollie Massimino, Cauley Patrick, Mark Richt, Fred Ross and Jimmy Spencer.
Boldin, 31, said being exposed to the athletes and athletic staff in South Florida helped launch his career.
“Palm Beach County is the area I was born and raised, where my career in football started,” he said. “There is a lot of great sports talent (in this area).”
Carl Boldin said even though his son has done well with football, his best sport is actually baseball and his favorite sport to play is basketball.
“Anquan started playing football at around 2 or 3 years old, then played on organized teams beginning in the six grade,” he said.
“It was evident early on he had talent. He excelled at football, baseball and basketball.”
Football has given Anquan the opportunity to show who he is as a person, a generous and humble guy, Carl Boldin said.
“I’m much more proud of the man who he has become more than the football,” he said. “Anquan doesn’t seek the attention, but he does charity work not only in Pahokee, but also in West Palm Beach, Phoenix, Arizona and Baltimore.”
The veteran NFL star spent seven years with the Arizona Cardinals and has been with the Baltimore Ravens since 2010.
Earlier this week, Anquan Boldin and fellow NFL player Larry Fitzgerald traveled to Ethiopia on a humanitarian mission.
“I have teamed with Larry Fitzgerald of the
Arizona Cardinals on a project to bring more awareness to the food crisis in East Africa,” he said.
“We have partnered with Oxfam America since September of 2011, because (this group) has proven results in East Africa.”
Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice, according to the group’s website.
Boldin and Fitzgerald hope to bring awareness of the famine in the East Africa region and aid Oxfam is providing food, clean drinking water and new irrigation equipment to the area.
Boldin said he wants to make a difference to this struggling nation and its people.
“I hope to see firsthand what the Oxfam(organization) is doing in the area,” he said. “How they are getting the community to respond to the crisis. I hope to make an impact.”
Born and raised in Pahokee, Boldin has never forgotten his roots.
For the last eight years, he has returned to his hometown to host Q-Fest, a weekend of fundraising and fun featuring more than 30 professional athletes. This year’s Q-Fest is set for April 12 – 14. Most of the events will be held in Pahokee and are free to the community, including a celebrity basketball game.
“Q-Fest is a weekend of fun and my way of saying thanks to my hometown of Pahokee for the years of support given to me,” Boldin said.
Photo: COURTESY OF THE BALTIMORE RAVENS
ON THE FIELD: Anquan Boldin began playing football at around 2 or 3 years old, his father said.
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