MOORPARK : Passion for Football Finds Outlet in Art

Moorpark High School student James Hoffman’s real love is football. But the 18-year-old senior has been unable to play any sports for the past two years because a bone disease has dislocated two vertebrae in his spine.

So he has funneled some of his passion for sports into art.

His portrait of Jerry Rice, star receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, won an art contest sponsored last month by the Moorpark Women’s Fortnightly Club for all of the city’s public school students.

The picture, drawn with white charcoal on black construction paper, went on to win in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs District 14 competition on March 27 in Ventura.

Hoffman’s piece beat about 20 other entries submitted by clubs from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Now the portrait has been entered in a state competition, to be held April 27 in Long Beach.

Hoffman drew the portrait of Rice, whom he describes as “one of my idols,” to fulfill a school assignment.

He did not know that his art teacher had entered his work in the local contest until he found out that he had won. “I was amazed,” he said.

Hoffman said he has given up his childhood dream of becoming a professional football player. Instead, he hopes to be able to parlay his artistic talents into a career in film and television production.

Hoffman’s art teacher, Kathi Kennedy, said she thinks that he has a natural talent that cannot be taught.

“He just seems to have a really good quality and feeling for balance, line and shadow,” she said.