Poetry is a universal medium for everyone. I recently reinforced this thought when I happened to stumble across the story of Travis Watkins. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches Watkins, a former defensive tackle for Kansas University, isn't the typical image the mind conjures when thinking of a poet, but once again we must try and look further than our preconceived notions.While still at the university, Watkins was a dedicated student who never compromised his education for sports. His former coach had this to say about him, " He is a very articulate and intelligent young man who worked hard in academics so it's no surprise that he has done so well at poetry." Initially, Watkins was turned on to the poetry scene by a former teammate David McMillan who is now headed to the Cleveland Browns to pursue a career as an NFL player. While discussing their shared interests in poetry in the locker room one afternoon, Mcmillan invited Watkins out to partake in a poetry slam competition, and Watkins took to the art like a fish to water. Watkins has since won two major poetry contests, one at the 2005 College Language Assn.'s annual conference, and the other at the Smokin' Word Slam Poetry Contest. Watkins also hosts his own poetry reading/slam every month in Kansas. Watkins plans to continue his studies in Houston were he wants to earn a masters degree in education, and eventually teach third graders as part of the "Teach For America" program. Still further down the road, he would like to be a school principal, and eventually open his own academy. Though Watkins was set to pursue a career in the NFL, his passions for poetry and reaching people have lead his life in a completely new and positive direction.