Malcolm Mitchell shouldn't have been a "book guy." In the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled world of the NFL, the stereotype is usually weights, film study, and maybe some video games in the off-season. But Mitchell, a wide receiver who helped the New England Patriots secure a legendary Super Bowl LI comeback, flipped that script entirely. Honestly, the Malcolm Mitchell book club isn't just a side project or a PR stunt; it’s a direct response to the fact that when he arrived at the University of Georgia, he could only read at a junior high level.
He was a star athlete. He was fast. He was strong. But he was struggling with a basic skill most of us take for granted. Instead of hiding it, Mitchell did something most college kids would find terrifying: he joined a local book club made up of middle-aged women.
The Unexpected Origins of the Malcolm Mitchell Book Club
It started at a CVS. Mitchell was browsing the aisles when he struck up a conversation with a woman named Kathy Rackley. He didn't ask about sports or town gossip; he asked about the book she was holding. This led to an invitation to join her book club. Imagine being a 21-year-old elite D1 athlete sitting in a living room with a group of women discussing The Language of Flowers. It’s a visual that feels like it belongs in a movie, but it's 100% real.
That experience changed his life. It wasn't just about decoding words on a page. It was about the realization that reading is a "superpower" that provides an exit ramp from the limitations of one's environment. Mitchell has been very open about the fact that he felt like a "fish out of water" initially, but that vulnerability became his greatest strength. He wasn't just learning to read; he was learning to love the process of learning.
This eventually birthed the Share the Magic Foundation, which is the formal engine behind his literacy efforts. People often search for the "Malcolm Mitchell book club" looking for a monthly list of titles, but what they find is a massive movement aimed at kids who, like him, might feel like reading isn't "for them."
Why Literacy Became His Second Career
Most athletes retire and go into coaching or broadcasting. Mitchell had to retire early because of persistent knee injuries—his body basically gave out on him after years of punishment. But he already had a plan. He had already written The Magician’s Hat, a children's book he self-published while still playing.
Think about that for a second. While most NFL players are focused on the playbook, Mitchell was focused on a picture book. He spent his own money to get it printed. He would bring copies to schools.
The Malcolm Mitchell book club concept evolved into "Read with Malcolm." This isn't your grandma's literary circle. It’s high-energy. It involves challenges, "Reading Bowls" that mimic the structure of football seasons, and a relentless focus on "literacy champions." He treats a kid finishing a book the same way the media treats a wide receiver catching a 40-yard touchdown pass.
📖 Related: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
The Reading Bowl: Literacy as a Sport
One of the most effective parts of his initiative is the READBowl. Basically, it’s a free global reading competition for K-8 students. It’s pretty brilliant because it leans into the competitive nature of kids. They aren't just reading because a teacher told them to; they're reading to win.
- It runs for four weeks.
- It tracks minutes read, not just books finished.
- It culminates on Super Bowl Sunday.
- Schools from all over the world participate, not just in the U.S.
The foundation reports that millions of minutes have been logged through this program. It’s a far cry from the quiet, dusty library image we often associate with reading. It’s loud, it’s competitive, and it’s effective.
Tackling the "Reading is Boredom" Myth
Let’s be real. A lot of kids hate reading because it feels like a chore. Mitchell gets this. He lived it. He often talks about how he'd rather have been doing anything else when he was younger. By positioning himself—a literal Super Bowl champion—as the face of the Malcolm Mitchell book club, he breaks the stigma.
He makes it "cool."
When a guy who has a ring from the Tom Brady era tells you that reading is the key to success, you listen. He isn't talking down to kids from a place of academic superiority. He’s talking to them as a peer who struggled. He's transparent about the fact that he used to see books as enemies.
What People Get Wrong About His Work
A common misconception is that his foundation is just about giving away free books. Sure, that happens. But the real meat of the work is in the ReadCamp and the digital resources provided to Title I schools.
He’s focusing on the "literacy desert"—areas where books are scarce and the culture of reading is non-existent. You can't just drop a book on a kid's lap and expect them to become a lifelong reader. You have to build a system of support around them. This is why his "book club" is more of a community.
👉 See also: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
- Physical Books: He still advocates for the tactile experience of holding a book.
- In-Person Magic: He performs magic tricks during his readings to illustrate how stories can "transform" reality.
- Digital Integration: Using platforms like "Read with Malcolm" to reach kids where they are—on screens.
The Impact of Super Bowl LI on His Mission
Winning the Super Bowl gave Mitchell a platform that most literacy advocates would kill for. He didn't use that spotlight to sell sneakers or energy drinks. He used it to talk about The Magician's Hat.
I remember seeing him on the morning shows after the big win. Most players were talking about the "Greatest Comeback Ever." Mitchell was talking about how reading gave him the mental toughness to stay focused during that game. He genuinely believes that the cognitive discipline required to sit down and finish a difficult novel is the same discipline required to run a perfect route under pressure.
It’s an interesting take. We often separate "jocks" and "nerds," but Mitchell argues they are two sides of the same coin. Both require practice, both require failing and trying again, and both require a massive amount of "internal drive."
How to Get Involved With the Movement
If you're looking to bring the Malcolm Mitchell book club energy to your school or home, you don't need a professional football contract. The Share the Magic Foundation has made most of these resources accessible.
- Sign up for READBowl: If you're a teacher, this is a no-brainer. It’s a ready-made curriculum booster.
- The Magician’s Hat & My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World: These are his two main titles. They are specifically designed for kids who "don't like to read."
- Virtual Reading Challenges: Since the pandemic, they've doubled down on digital challenges that kids can do from home.
The nuance here is that Mitchell isn't trying to create "English professors." He's trying to create "functional, confident citizens." He knows that if you can't read, you can't fill out a job application, you can't understand a contract, and you can't vote effectively. It’s about empowerment, not just aesthetics.
What’s Next for the Foundation?
In 2026, the focus has shifted even more toward "Resistant Readers." These are the kids who have the skill to read but choose not to because they find it irrelevant to their lives. Mitchell is working on more diverse content and partnerships that bridge the gap between sports culture and literary culture.
He’s also expanded into the "Miracle Worker" program, which recognizes educators who go above and beyond. It’s a recognition that he didn't get to where he is alone. He had that book club in Georgia. He had teachers who didn't give up on him.
✨ Don't miss: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
The Malcolm Mitchell book club isn't just about Malcolm anymore. It's a template for how we can use "celebrity" for something that actually lasts longer than a highlight reel.
Actionable Steps for Literacy Growth
Reading isn't a passive hobby; it's a skill that requires a strategy. If you want to replicate the success of Mitchell’s approach in your own circle, stop treating reading like a punishment.
Start a "No-Pressure" Book Club Don't pick the classics immediately. Start with graphic novels, sports biographies, or even magazines. The goal is "time on page," not "intellectual prestige."
Gamify the Minutes Use a timer. See if a kid can read for 10 minutes today and 11 minutes tomorrow. In the READBowl, the competition is the hook, but the habit is the prize.
Read Aloud, Regardless of Age Malcolm still talks about the power of hearing stories. Reading aloud to kids—even older ones—helps them understand tone, pacing, and emotion in a way that silent reading sometimes misses.
Connect Reading to Goals If a kid wants to be a gamer, find books on game design. If they want to be an athlete, find memoirs of their favorite players. Mitchell connected reading to his desire to be more than "just a football player." That connection is what makes the habit stick.
Support the Foundation You can directly impact Title I schools by donating or volunteering through the Share the Magic Foundation. They provide the "Magic Book Bus" and other mobile literacy units that bring books directly into neighborhoods that need them most.
The legacy of a football player is usually measured in yards and touchdowns. For Mitchell, it’ll be measured in the number of kids who stopped saying "I can't read" and started saying "What’s next on the list?"