FLEMING - Tim Green has been fortunate to live a life much like the one he dreamed of as a child.

Green, a Skaneateles resident and Liverpool native, grew up with aspirations to play in the NFL and to be a writer.

Both are dreams that he made come true.

Green shared some of his experiences as the keynote speaker Wednesday at the Auburn YMCA's annual report luncheon at the Springside Inn.

“When I was a boy I wanted to play in the NFL and write a book,” Green said. “I was always reading books. Even now I'll run into people and they'll say to me 'aren't you the wrestler that was always reading a book before meets?' I always loved books and I thought it would be so wonderful to share that experience, to get someone into reading that I had as I was growing up.”

Green was recruited to play for Syracuse University during a time when the Orangemen were struggling. Green, a defensive end, stood out. For his efforts he was recently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Green also took the time to develop his other passions off the field.

“Coach (Dick) MacPherson told us to develop our minds and our bodies,” Green said. “You have to work out and lift weights and run and train, but you have to develop your mind as well. I was lucky to be able to be an English major and study creative writing and develop that other side.”

In 1986, Green was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and would go on to spend eight seasons in the NFL.

During the offseason, Green returned to SU to continue his education, earning a law degree and working on his writing.

His status on the field earned Green another opportunity off the field. In 1993, he was offered the chance to become a sports analyst for FOX Sports and National Public Radio.

“I wanted to leave the game gracefully,” he said. “At this time my first son was playing. I had the contract with FOX; my first book had come out and was successful enough that I got a contract to write another. So it was a good time to walk away from the game gracefully.”

Since then, Green has gone on to host several other shows including Court TV's “Pros and Cons,” FOX Sports' “NFL Total Access” and Comedy Central's “Battlebots.”

More recently, state Democrats are reportedly courting Green, a Republican, to switch parties and challenge incumbent John DeFrancisco for a state Senate seat in 2008. He did not address politics Wednesday, but said he has never lost sight of his priorities of focusing on his family, children and community.

Green stays active as an assistant coach on the Skaneateles Lakers varsity wrestling team, and has recently branched out into the world of children's literature, writing a book called “Football Genius,” geared toward readers 10 to 14 years old.

“I wanted kids to have the opportunity to get into reading,” he said. “A lot of kids that age aren't into books, but this is something about football and something they can get into and exercise their minds as well as their bodies.”

The ideals Green spoke of are echoed in the YMCA's motto: “We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.”

“I've had the opportunity to do a lot of different things and have a lot of great experiences. I enjoyed the traveling and stylists and catering. But I decided that my priorities are as a parent and to my family and kids and to my community. All that other stuff falls away and is meaningless. What you are left with is the people you love and that love you and the people you can help and the people that don't even know you are helping them. Helping in it self is its own reward.”