Joey Galloway -- Living The Football Dream

From the time he was 5 years old, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joey Galloway, rookie wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, knew he would make it to the National Football League and he did.

In the second game of his sophomore year in college Galloway blew out his knee. Others thought he might not play again. "I never listened to them. I knew I'd come back."

The thing that has surprised Galloway the most about playing professional football is that the action is much faster than college and the guys are bigger. "Things are twice as fast in the NFL," he says and NFL coaches don't yell as much as college coaches do. "It's more on a business level in the NFL. College coaches are trying to develop young men."

Galloway, 23, grew up in Bellaire, Ohio, the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Ohio State University in Columbus with a degree in business. "Football isn't everything. You have to get an education," he says. "After my injury, I realized that a sports career can be taken away from you. But a college degree no one can take away."

Galloway has received several academic scholarships to continue his education. He may do that during the off-season.

Galloway was picked by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the NFL draft. "The experts were saying I'd go in the first round, but I didn't want to listen. I didn't want to get my hopes up." He is excited to be in Seattle. "I love this city. There's always something to do. But it's not as fast-paced as other big cities," he says.

Now Galloway's goal is to learn quickly so he can help his new team. "Then I want to rise to the top and be the best at my position," he says.

Galloway's home is still in Columbus. He lives with a college roommate and two scorpions. And, he says, he never drinks alcohol and he never smokes.

What did you learn? 1. What college did Galloway attend? 2. What pets does he have? 3. Can you name what position he plays for the Seahawks? 4. Galloway thinks education is important. Do you? Why?