Rosevelt Colvin hosted his second annual R59 shootout at Broad Ripple High School and Arlington High School with the help of Sports Identity over the Memorial Day weekend, 2008. The Purdue University and BRHS graduate continues to give back to the local community as proceeds from his charity basketball tournament benefit both IPS school's athletic departments.

There were 17 teams participating in the classic, double elimination basketball tournament in three divisions: a junior division (14-17 years old), an open division (20-something) and an adult division (30 years and older). The BRHS junior varsity team was a runner-up in the open division competition while a group of BRHS alumni won the adult division game.

An auction and a raffle were also held that included autographed jerseys from Colvin, Indianapolis Colts players Bob Sanders and Reggie Wayne plus Colts and Indiana Pacers tickets. "If anybody would like to make a donation, checks can be sent to the schools in care of their athletic departments. I want to give kids the same opportunities I've had to be successful in life," Colvin emphasized. (BRHS is located at 1115 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220 while AHS is at 4825 Arlington Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46226.)

One of his best memories while playing basketball at BRHS included a Rocket victory over North Central during his junior year where teammate Devon White broke a rim while slam dunking. Colvin played varsity basketball for four years. A multi-sport athlete, he set a school record in football with 219 tackles playing defensive end. He was chosen a first-team All State Member, an All Marion County Player, an All Metro Player and the Indianapolis News Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a second-team All State selection during his junior year.

He also excelled academically, graduating in the top nine percent of his 1995 class at BRHS. He was a National Honor Society member and a three year member of the school's Honor Roll. He was inducted into the IPS Hall of Fame in 2007.

While at Purdue University, he played linebacker during his freshman year, but moved to defensive end under new coach Joe Tiller in 1997. Colvin was an integral part of a Boilermaker defense that won the Alamo Bowl twice and helped put the school back on the NCAA college football map. He was selected Purdue's Most Valuable Player in the 1998 Alamo Bowl where the Boilermakers upset fourth ranked Kansas State 37-34. They also won the 1997 Alamo Bowl over Oklahoma State 33-20.

A treasured Boilermaker memory occurred during his junior year on September 13, 1997 when they beat Notre Dame 28-17. A Purdue fan's account recalls a turning point in the game: "With under nine minutes left in the game, Irish quarterback Ron Powlus dropped back to pass on second down and five from his own 39-yard line. Defensive pressure forced him out of the pocket, but Powlus saw some brief daylight in front of him. As he ran back to the line of scrimmage, Rosevelt Colvin tackled him and forced a fumble. His Boilermaker teammate Adrian Beasley picked up the football and ran 43 yards for a touchdown amid a deafening Ross Ade Stadium roar and a 21-10 Purdue lead." It ultimately proved to be the game winning score in Purdue's first victory over the Irish since 1985. Though Colvin's name did not appear in the game's box score, Lawrence Taylor-like plays of this variety have been a hallmark of his career. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology in 1999 from Purdue before signing with the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the National Football League draft. His biography and career highlights are available at his website www.r59.com along with more information.

Colvin's defensiveness prowess in the NFL has resulted in his achieving 52.5 quarterback sacks and 360 tackles (272 of them solo) during his nine year career. One of those sacks included Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning midway through the fourth quarter of last November's game at the RCA Dome that stalled a Colts drive. His fumble recovery late in the game instigated by Patriot teammate Jarvis Green's hit on Manning clinched the Patriots' 24-20 victory in the mid-season matchup of undefeated teams. Another of his fumble recoveries for an 11-yard touchdown against the Washington Redskins last season was also his first career TD.

He was featured with Patriot teammates Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel on the November 13, 2007 front cover of Sports Illustrated as part of the 'Backerhood, a name dubbed New England's defense in the mid-1990s. Their combined 58 years of NFL experience and team camaraderie has made them the league's premiere defense. In a 3-4 set-up, defensive ends Colvin and Vrabel line up along the outside, trying to force opponents to run the football inside, but they will occasionally drop back for pass coverage. If either is left unguarded, any quarterback or running back could be in dire straits playing these kinds of Patriot Games.

Since a miraculous 10-month recovery and rehabilitation from a 2003 hip injury that he suffered in his first season as a Patriot, Colvin has been a key player in a New England defense that has resulted in two Super Bowl victories in 2004 and 2005 in three overall appearances. Despite a 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots season was indeed memorable as they won 18 consecutive games, surpassing the 1972 Miami Dolphins' 17 consecutive victories. Though a foot injury in November prematurely ended his 2007 season, Colvin exhibited signs of strong defensive play he initially achieved with the Chicago Bears. Many fans believe that if he was cleared to play in Super Bowl XLII, the game's outcome may indeed have been different.

Though released by the Patriots in late February, Colvin remains in the prime of his career. He spoke to Colts coach Tony Dungy in late April about potentially playing for Indianapolis as all his options remain open. He would be an asset to any team's defense. He remains in touch with his former Patriot teammates and has many good friends in Chicago from his playing days with the Bears.

Colvin is also known for other his charity work and business acumen off the gridiron. In a unique partnership with CVS Pharmacy, he teamed up to create "Rosey's Sack Packs," where back-to-school backpacks were sold in CVS stores throughout the New England area. He is also a supporter of the American Diabetes Association and a participant in the Red Cross Blood Drive, according to Khalil Garriot's biography of him at www.nflplayers.com from September of 2006. His other charitable interests include the Easter Seals Disability Services and the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago.

The IPS Hall of Fame recognized him in 2007 for his contributions to the Gambold Middle School Choir, donations of autographed photos and footballs to the Stacey Toran Foundation, shoes and clothes to needy IPS children, contributions to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and for his sponsoring the "Walk to Cure Diabetes" in Massachusetts. He is one of the youngest inductees to receive this honor.

During the off-season, he enjoys bowling, golf and spending time with his family. He will participate in a golf outing with other NFL players in June on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts Resort & The Royal Beach Casino from June 19-22, 2008. The website, www.ten59.net has more information for those interested in registering for this event.

In planning for a post-football career a few years ago, Colvin became interested in owning and operating a business. "There were opportunities to go with other franchises, but UPS responded first," he explained. Since then, he has opened two UPS stores in Indianapolis: one at 1075 Broad Ripple Avenue and the other at 7399 North Shadeland Avenue. His parents, Rosevelt II and Bessie, operate the stores while he is playing football. She retired from IPS after a 40-year teaching career as he continues teaching. Colvin can be seen working in the stores during the off-season.

Recalling some of the best advice his parents gave him, Colvin noted, "Deal with the situation as it is. Don't make too much or too little of it, just make the best of it and move on." He has successfully adapted to challenges he has faced using this credo.

As a feared defensive end and savvy businessman, Rosevelt Colvin continues making an impact both on and off the field. His fans and customers await his next career step in business and football as he continues to make all the right moves.