It was at Arsenal Tech High School on Wednesday afternoon that saw Indianapolis Colts legend Robert Mathis & his foundation Gridiron Gang partner with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS).

With Mathis on hand, & joined by admin members of IPS such as District Athletic Director Darren Thomas, they announced the partnership set to open up professional-level training in football skills for male & female student-athletes within IPS.

For Mathis, this partnership is special because IPS reminds him of APS, the Atlanta Public School system that helped him become the player & man he is today.

“When I think IPS, Indianapolis Public Schools I think APS, Atlanta Public Schools. I grew up in that. Knowing the struggles & the adversity & the challenges that it presented, you always want top remember where you started.”

IPS District Director of Athletics Darren Thomas spoke glowingly of this partnership, as he sees the positive impact sports has on young student-athletes every single day.

“Our IPS student-athletes in our high schools earn a GPA on average 20% higher than their general student population. They also have lower behavioral discipline rates & higher attendance rates.”

With the partnership official an already bright future in IPS just became brighter.