At first I could not find him in the throng of children vying for his approval. After all, I am used to seeing him wearing shoulder pads and accosting NFL quarterbacks like few others can.
But today was different, as he was over matched my some 250 children, all seeking his personal instruction and attention.
For a guy who is downright vicious every Sunday on game day, he looked totally relaxed, dressed in an Air Jordan polo and flashing an infectious smile back at everyone he made eye contact with. Indeed a departure from the wars of the NFL.
“This camp is certainly a great way for me to give back to young people,” stated the eight year pro.
“I did not have this type of opportunity growing up and it is important to provide it to those who might not have had it before now as well”
Dwight Freeney teamed up with sponsors Old Spice and AAA to conduct his inaugural camp at Ben Davis High School and by the looks of the turnout and the energy displayed by the attendees, it was a smashing success.
Campers ranged from age 7 to 14 and were treated to three hours each day with Freeney himself. Group and individual instructions in various facets of the game were conducted in addition to lectures at dinner, all occurring under the watchful eye of the All Pro defensive end.
In keeping with his commitment to the less fortunate, many of the campers who could not afford to attend where there as a result of a program designed to cover the cost of attending through his relationship with Country music superstar Garth Brooks, whose Foundation partners with Freeney and other NFL greats to provide such opportunities for young people all over the country.
In a time when professional athletes are heavily scrutinized for how they help others, Freeney is using his camp to provide opportunities for these individuals to develop their football skills, but more importantly, life skills, through teamwork and fellowship off the football field. Powerful stuff indeed.
Information for next years camp can be obtained at procamps.com which is based in Cincinnati Ohio and assists a number of high profile athletes in organizing and conducting the camps. Hats off to number 93 of the Colts for making an impact off the field in the Indianapolis community and beyond.
Notes: Peyton Manning visited with the campers on day one and as you might imagine, was well received by those in attendance.
To learn more about Garth Brooks and his foundation, Teammates For Kids, log on to: www.teammatesforkids.com
Danny Bridges, who was truly uplifted by this assignment can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
