On Saturday, July 13 at Westfields High School was a free football camp for children with Eddie Royal who plays for the San Diego Chargers. He brought other NFL players to coach.
Eddie said, "I grew up in this area, just like you. I wish I was in these seats. I didn't have a camp to go to when I was a little kid. So it was important for me to have one for you.
I want to let you all know I was in the same position as you. I wanted to go to the NFL and all those big things. I was in your position and a lot of people didn't think that I could.
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Be successful in life. Whatever you want to do you can do it. I had a dream and I was able to do it through hard work and education. And don't forget about school work. I know this is great to come out and play football and have fun, but school work is very important. If you don't make the grades your parents are probably not going to let you play. If you don't make the good grades you won't be able to play in the NFL because that matters."
All the kids got a shirt that Eddie signed at the end of practice. You got separated into age groups and did different exercises to warm up. After that they tried different drills. The kids got to play flag football with the NFL players.
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Eddie's mom said that "he has older brothers and football was always going on in front of the house." She said that one of his teachers was here, "They became very close in 4th grade. Mr. Kelly at Dogwood Elementary School. He always kept in touch and today he brought his three little boys.
I am not going to tell you he was perfect. He realized there was life after football and bringing in good grades. To tell you the truth, he had to go to summer school one year, out of all the years of school to really get serious. So that is why he focuses so much on the making sure the kids know that it is not all about football, you have to have that education.
If you have a family, you want to take care of your family, help with the homework and stuff. I am proud of that part, he got on the right track with his education. That was the number one thing for me, not how far he can run or how many passes he could catch. It was what he did in the class that counted for me."
Remember to always have fun, spend time with your family, and do well in school!!
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