ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Two-Time Super Bowl champion Marquez Valdes-Scantling stitched a design together as a way to say thank you to St. Pete.
Valdes-Scantling owns a screen printing and embroidery store in Tampa Bay called Craft Tee.
Tahrell Jones, who grew up with Valdes-Scantling, is part of the Craft Tee team.
“He's a hometown kid, that's proud to be a hometown kid. We played football together at Lakewood High school and we shared blood, sweat, and tears on the football field together. Then, we went our separate ways. I went to UCF, and he went to USF,” Jones said.
Despite being miles away, Valdes-Scanting's love for his upbringing shines through in their projects.
“When we donate to events that we will be at, it's fun to see all the locals wearing them,” Brianna Byars, graphic designer said.
Shop manager Alejandro Flores says this job combines his two favorite things, sports and football.
“We call it seeing our products in the wild. So, when I see something that Sean has printed or we have printed here in shop we're like oh I just saw something printed in the wild today,” Flores said.
Craft Tee says they accept business from a little bit of everywhere, but the goal is to always stick to their roots. That’s why you can find some of their merchandise here at the St. Pete store and Visitor center.
“They are contributing in more ways than just t shirts,” Chris Steinocher with the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce said.
The Chamber of Commerce said it catches the eye of tourists which then brings money back to St. Pete. That money is then used to help the community and those with a passion to serve others.
“By helping every entrepreneur in St. Pete sell their stuff in St. Pete that money then stays in St Pete,” Steinocher said.
“Our money goes towards all the greenhouse programs, to help entrepreneurs grow so they're contributing to making sure that programs in the chamber and every entrepreneur gets a chance,” Steinocher said.
Right now, Craft Tee is based in only based in St. Petersburg, but there are plans to expand nationwide.