"As soon as seventh-grader Tyler Hutchinson announced his special guest to the Duxbury Middle School student body, the auditorium erupted. It nearly became a stampede when Patriots running back Laurence Maroney began high-fiving the crowd.

It was the NFL's Take a Player to School day, and Hutchinson won the online drawing to have Maroney lead his class in 60 minutes of physical education as part of the NFL's PLAY 60 program.

"Amazing," Hutchinson said. "I got to work out with a famous athlete, and it was really fun."

Everywhere Maroney walked, he heard the cheers. The fun-loving player signed countless autographs, offered words of encouragement to the Duxbury High football team, and even worked up a sweat playing Ultimate Football.

"When I get the chance to come out to the community and help out, I'm always loving it," Maroney said. "It's always great to know you can impact a person's life. Just being able to be part of making his day, made my day."

Maroney stayed in a good mood, despite failing at the hula hoop. With good reason. The oft-criticized back is coming off his three best performances of the season. Maroney gained 248 yards with three touchdowns in the three wins, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

"It was definitely a great weekend for me, and great for my overall spirit," Maroney said. "You see I'm in a great mood, and seeing these kids, seeing the fans are still in my corner. It makes me feel that much better that the fans in New England still love me, still excited to see me, still want me here.""