By Evan Ardoin

stlouisrams.com

The rhythmic pattern of famed children’s author Dr. Seuss’s words is not the typical workplace conversation for Rams defensive line coach Brian Baker. Usually, Baker speaks the language of football, barking out orders to his charges. On this special day, however, the young father was able to show how well-rounded he really is. The veteran coach made an appearance as a “celebrity reader” of the children’s classic Horton Hears a Who at theMissouri Botanical Garden .

Once seated in front of the auditorium, Baker invited the young children to sit around him so he could read the story and show all of the illustrations. The kids, decked out in miniature elephant ears, listened intently as Coach Baker’s animated reading style gave life to Dr. Seuss’s story.

Baker even skillfully wove football lessons into his visit, comparing Horton, guardian of the imaginary “Who-ville” to an offensive lineman who protects his teammates. After all, coaching in life or in football, is about teaching lessons. Baker reiterated the unifying theme of the story, reminding the kids of Horton’s motto: “A person’s a person, no matter how small!”

Following the reading of Horton Hears a Who, all of the kids and parents participated in a planting of special Horton seeds provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Each of the kids was also given a pass to a special screening of Horton Hears a Who, posters and Horton ears.