Gamecock football players spend day off field encouraging children to read 

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Some Gamecock football players traded in their helmets and their pads for books on Friday, July 12.

Several Gamecock football team players along with cheerleaders and Cocky participated in Richland Library’s annual Pigskin Poets event.

The event is aimed to encourage kids to read.

Players spoke with the children on Friday afternoon, saying they appreciated the chance to meet and greet fans ahead of the new football season.

The Gamecocks will have their season opener on August 31, here in Columbia against Old Dominion.