Peter Boulware, the former FSU All-American and NFL linebacker, was appointed to the Florida Board of Education today by Gov. Charlie Crist, according to a written statement issued by the governor's office a few minutes ago. The 33-year-old replaces Donna Callaway, who resigned in June, and joins board Chairman T. Willard Fair as the second African-American on the seven-member panel.

"As a former professional athlete and now as a businessman and father, (Boulware) has proven himself to be a strong role model who values education and understands how important it is in bettering the lives of Floridians," Crist said in the statement.

Boulware, a Republican, graduated from FSU in 1997 and played nine years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. He is vice president of a Toyota dealership in Tallahassee and narrowly lost a state House seat. The BOE appointment is "definitely an honor," he said in the statement. "I look forward to improving our education system here in Florida."

Boulware's term runs through Dec. 31, 2009.

(Photo from sportsillustratedcnn.com)

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