Vicki Petitbon-Kelley, this year’s new Sports and Entertainment Marketing teacher, was a prime candidate for the job because of her unique background growing up in a sports dominated world.

She is the daughter of a former safety, defensive coordinator and head coach of the Washington Redskins, Richie Petitbon.

Due to her father’s unique job, Petitbon-Kelley had a different childhood than most.

“It was similar to a military family since I moved a lot up until middle school,” said Petitbon-Kelley.

Not only was Petitbon a safety for the Redskins, but he also played for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams throughout his career. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro selection in 1963, and was inducted to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

After retiring, Petitbon returned to the Redskins as a secondary coach, then served as the defensive coordinator for more than ten years.

It makes sense to expect Petitbon-Kelley to be a big Redskins fan due to her father’s extensive employment with the team.

“Usually I am [a Redskins fan],” said Petitbon-Kelley, “but I’m not a fan of their colors. Imagine wearing those colors every Sunday for over a decade.”

Although the team’s colors might not be the most flattering, Petitbon-Kelley wears them with pride. Whenever her father’s team made it to the Super Bowl, she was there to cheer him on.

“It was great,” said Petitbon-Kelley, “if we won.”

Having a father with a demanding job like that of a professional football player and coach isn’t always good, but Petitbon-Kelley wouldn’t change anything about it.

As a Sports and Entertainment Marketing teacher, Petitbon-Kelley’s background helps to enhance her work on a daily basis. She uses her expertise to get students interested in the subject and more involved in the class.

“Her class is enjoyable and her lessons are exciting,” said senior Michael Skaff.

While Petitbon-Kelley strongly believes, like many other Redskins fans, that her father is a defensive genius, she also knows a side of Richie Petitbon that they don’t.

“He is very down to earth, funny, religion, genuine and a family man,” said Petitbon-Kelley. “ He’s my hero.”