The energy was electric at Devonshire Elementary School Tuesday morning as Carolina Panthers players, cheerleaders, and community partners launched a new initiative to get students excited about reading and physical fitness.

The event was part of the Panthers' "3rd and Goal" program, a new pilot initiative focused on improving reading skills for students in kindergarten through third grade.

“We know in CMS that is such an important time frame for our students,” said David Spellmon with the district’s Family and Community Services. “Today they're having some cheerleaders and some players read to those grade levels.”

This is the first year for the program, which is kicking off in 20 CMS schools with the hope of expanding in the future. While younger students enjoyed story time in the morning, fourth and fifth graders participated in an NFL Play 60 fitness camp in the afternoon to promote well-being and an active lifestyle.

For Devonshire Elementary Principal Eric Barton, the day was about building momentum for his growing school and connecting students with positive role models.

“The ultimate goal is to help our students bridge the gap between wanting to read and those personalities that they enjoy,” Barton said. “Giving the Panthers the opportunity to show that they read too and getting our kids excited about reading.”

Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson, who read the book “The Gruffalo” to a kindergarten class, said the experience was meaningful.

“Literature is very important for me and my foundation, but also I have small kids, so it's almost like I was just reading for my kids,”

- Mike Jackson, Carolina Panthers

Jackson stressed that reading is a lifelong skill. “You think once you’re done with school, you don't have to read, but you got to read playbooks, your order at McDonald's, like everything. So reading is very important.”

The partnership extends beyond the Panthers, with Bank of America and Atrium Health providing volunteer support. Bojangles also played a key role by donating books, ensuring that every student went home with a copy of the book that was read to them, as well as a t-shirt.