Riverview's Tyrone McKenzie headed to Patriots

His playing days started with Pop Warner football in Brandon at the young age of nine. He made a name for himself as a star running back at Riverview High School. And he proved he could play at a high level as a linebacker in a college career that included stints at three Division I schools and ended at the University of South Florida.

It all paid off over the weekend for Tyrone McKenzie when the New England Patriots selected the 23-year-old late in the third round of the NFL Draft. McKenzie, the 97th overall pick, goes to a Patriots team that has appeared in five Super Bowls since 1997 and, in the minds of many, put together a dynasty the past decade.

"It's the best thing that could have happened to me -- this is the best team in the NFL," McKenzie told Times USF beat writer Greg Auman. "It's always been a dream of mine, and now I'm living it. This is a tremendous honor for me."

McKenzie began his college career at Michigan State after graduating from Riverview in 2004. He transferred to Iowa State in 2006 and had a breakout sophomore season, finishing eighth in the nation with 10.75 tackles a game. In 2007, McKenzie transferred to USF so he could be closer to his mother, Ruth Sloley-McKenzie, who lives in Riverview.

He racked up 237 tackles in 26 games at outside linebacker with the Bulls and finished his college career with 368 tackles.

McKenzie returned to Riverview High to give a motivational speech after arriving at USF, and he said he'll never forget his days as a Shark.

"No matter where I end up in life (and) in the NFL, I'm always going to remember where I came from because through tough times and good times, that's where I started," he said in a South Shore & Brandon Times story that ran in January.

"At Riverview High School, nothing was given. Everything was earned. So since high school, I've always learned to work really hard."

-- Check out a video with interviews from McKenzie's mom and former coaches put together right before he played in the Senior Bowl in January.

Kevin Smetana, Times Staff Writer 

Fun in Plant City

With all the beautiful nature spots out here in East Hillsborough, I'm on the hunt to combine my two big loves -- nature and eating. I love to eat and drink wine outside, on balconies and patios. But given the nature of suburban development, a lot of our eateries (including those at the mall) have outdoor seating just one curb jump away from the underside of an out-of-control car. (Some have barriers, but the point is, you're eating car exhaust along with the calamari.) Then there are those with vistas of crammed parking lots, garbage bins and the empty field next to Publix. I have to give a shout out to one of my favorite places that pulls this off so beautifully -- the Keel and Curley Winery on 25 acres off Thonotosassa Road in Plant City. The blueberry winery makes their fruit wine onsite, offering wine tastings in their vast tasting room and gift shop. Couples hold weddings at the outdoor white gazebo, and the winery's guests can enjoy live music on Friday and Saturday nights. But my favorite part is the vast deck out back that looks over a pond (granted, it's low now because of the drought) and a gaggle of squabbling ducks. And please, if you know of more places out this way that offer food, drink and a slice of nature, let me know. 
 
 
 --Saundra Amrhein