BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Kerry Rhodes knows a thing or two about video games.

The Bessemer native loved Nintendo before shifting to Sega and then Super Nintendo.

"Trust me, I know every game. I've played them," the NFL free agent said this week. "I used to have tournaments with my friends. We played all the time."

But Rhodes drew the line when he had a chance to go outside and play.

Given the choice of playing games on a screen or playing real games, "we were going to take outside first," he said.

Times have changed and more than a few youth turn a deaf ear to the call to play outside. Rhodes will try to set youngsters - and adults - on a healthier track.

The 30-year-old safety has formed a partnership between his Kerry Rhodes Foundation and Fitness Experience's "Now Let's Get Fit" program, designed to inform communities of the health risks and higher costs of living associated with obesity.

The Now Let's Get Fit movement aims to create a fun, inspiring and interactive educational experience with Rhodes, celebrity guests and health care specialists through events, educational tools and fitness activities.

The first of those sessions will be Saturday and Monday at the Legacy YMCA in Bessemer. Saturday's session is for youths; Monday, the program shifts to grownups.

"The kids don't give themselves a fair chance," Rhodes said. "They're always inside. They're inside playing video games. Me as a kid, I always wanted to be outside and run around. That was my time to be free."

Saturday, Rhodes and others will put kids through their paces. But he'll be active as well.

"I'm real hands on," he said. "I'll be participating, I'll be doing all the drills. I'll be hot and sweaty just like they will.

"They'll be able to come in, get all the testing, all the health stuff they need and be active on the field," the football pro said. "Monday, we'll have the adult classes."

Karina Smirnoff from "Dancing With the Stars" comes in to help teach those classes.



"It's going to be fun," Rhodes said. "It's going to be fun for all parts of the family, the kids and the adults. It's going to be a good deal."

Rhodes was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. His breakout season was in 2006 as he was named to the 2006 "All Pro" teams by ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press.

Rhodes was traded in March of 2010 to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2010 fourth round pick and a 2011 seventh round selection.

"I went to Arizona and it was kind of the resurgence for me," Rhodes said. "My last year in New York wasn't the way I wanted it to be. It kind of opened my eyes. I had to get back to doing everything right and get back to the basics."

The safety started and played in all 16 regular season games of the 2010-2011 season for the Cardinals, recording 78 solo and 12 assists, a sack, 12 deflected passes and four interceptions. He was released from the Cardinals on March 13, but the free agent expects to be playing this fall.

"It's in the works," he said. "I can't talk about it in depth but there's a good four teams that I'm looking at. There are ongoing discussions. I'm trying to see which one will be the best fit for me. You will see me, though."

The Bessemer native declined to name his suitors.

"I don't want to sway the negotiations at all," he said, adding that an announcement could come in a week or so. "That would be the ideal. Most situations aren't ideal any way. You have to adapt to it and move on."

Rhodes has learned to adapt to the unwanted spotlight of accusations concerning his sexual orientation. A former assistant alleged earlier this year that the former Jess Lanier High standout is gay, a charge that he flatly denies.

"It's an unfortunate situation," he said. "It caught me by surprise."

Rhodes said the allegations of him being gay have faded.

"This is the first time (that it's come up) in a minute," he said. "It's over to me."

Now Let's Get Fit Schedule

at Legacy YMCA in Bessemer

Saturday, July 13

8 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Sign In, Proclamation by Mayor Ken Gully and Introduction

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Kerry Rhodes and Tami Farrell conduct class and UAB Medical West conducts health screenings

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Lunch by Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q and closing.

Monday, July 15



5 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Kerry Rhodes and Karina Smirnoff sign autographs and UAB Medical West conducts health screenings

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.: Kerry Rhodes and Karina Smirnoff teach first class

7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Break

8 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Kerry Rhodes and Karina Smirnoff teach second class and closing