Pavelka had been involved in athletics from an early age ; his mother took him to the track from 4th grade and he played football in both his senior year and at college .
Pavelka later gave this up after sixteen years devoted to the sport .
Pavelka had been involved in athletics from an early age ; his mother took him to the track from 4th grade and he played football in both his senior year and at college , although he later gave this up after sixteen years devoted to the sport .