Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Brent Trayce Sands, it has been updated with the correct naming.
Jacksonville Jaguar and Elk Grove native Arik Armstead launched his own original comic book to Hazel Mahome College Prep students Friday, encouraging them to keep reading even if they struggle with it like he once did.
The Armstead Academic Project, a non-profit started in 2019 to support youth in Sacramento and the Bay Area, produced the book with a local comic book shop and publisher — Impound Comics — located in downtown Sacramento. It was written by Brent Trayce Sands with illustrations from Ernest John Bayona. The book depicts a young Armstead struggling to read and the anxiety that comes with it.
“I was bright, but when it came time to read out loud and in front of people, I really lacked the confidence to do it — and that really stunted my growth," Armstead said.
And what is Armstead’s superpower? Confidence.
“You have to be the first person to believe in yourself,” Armstead read aloud. “Once you do that, you can accomplish anything.”
Arik Armstead gives a high five to a Hazel Mahome College Prep student after a group photo. July 11th, 2025.
(Chris Felts/CapRadio)
Armstead said growing up he felt he was smarter than what his grades showed. It took extra work — with the support of his family and friends — to boost his confidence. He hopes the book can empower kids who may feel like they’re alone.
“Realizing the responsibility I have now to be that for the next generation is what inspires me to do this,” Armstead said.
The former 49er defensive lineman has been one of the most active NFL players for community outreach. Armstead won the league’s 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year award after five consecutive nominations. The award honors a player's excellence on and off the field.
“It's a huge honor, very appreciative, but it represents a lot more people than just myself,” Armstead said. “It represents where I'm from, all the people that have had a hand in the work that we're doing. It really validates the work that we're doing.”
“We really appreciate that he is a hometown guy who is doing the work, boots on the ground, teaching kids to read,” said Dr. Margaret Fortune, CEO of Fortune School.
Armstead teamed up with Teach for America’s summer reading camp in partnership with Fortune School, a public network of TK-5 charter schools. The event was part of a five-week initiative to enhance early childhood literacy through the science of reading which utilizes phonic-based instruction.
The Sacramento Public Library was also present to help the mission by supplying free books to families who attended the event. Emily Randall, a librarian, hopes events like this one can get kids excited about reading and increase the library’s presence in their lives.
“We go to festivals and farmers markets and things to try to reach people who maybe can't get to the library, if it's not accessible to them from their home or if they can't come to us during our open hours,” Randall said.
Cover art of Arik Armstead's comic book "Discovering My Superpower" created by Sacramento-based comic book shop and publisher, Impound Comics. (Photo courtesy of Impound Comics)
Fortune noted how important it is for children to begin reading even “from the time they’re in the womb.”
“The more time they spend with books, around books, touching books, understanding how a book is constructed, hearing you read, imitating your reading,” Fortune said. “Those are things we can do as parents, as aunts and uncles, as community members that we don’t have to be experts at.”
A recent Sacramento Literacy Foundation report found that nearly two-thirds of third graders are reading below grade level. Fortune noted the achievement gap among African American students is “severe and persistent” in Sacramento. She said the work to close that gap begins with preparing children for college from the time they are in preschool all the way through high school.
“There are things that we can do as educators and community members to roll up our sleeves and teach kids to read,” Fortune said. “That is the gateway for everything else.”
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