The Sixth Annual Earl Thomas Youth Football Camp kicked off Friday at the West Orange-Stark High School. Several thousand young people signed up to be part of the camp which features Thomas and several other National Football League players as instructors.
Orange Mayor Jimmy Sims was present and gave his appreciation for the work done by Thomas and others to provide the football camp for youngsters not only in Orange, but also the surrounding area. “It just gets bigger and bigger, what a great camp that Earl Thomas puts on to teach these kids all day. It’s not about Earl Thomas or anybody else other than the kids,” Sims praised.
Earl Thomas talked as he was walking between different aged groups of the football campers about why he started the camp six years ago. “The reason I started these camps is just to instill the work ethic in these kids. It’s good for me to get my hands on them and just try to be an example the best way I know how,” Thomas explained.
The all-pro standout for the Seattle Seahawks said the camp is serving as a special form of re-habilitation for him and his injured knee. Thomas admitted, “They don’t understand I’ve been in a boot for maybe two months, maybe longer than that, and I come out here to work. I know what it is when you can’t run and you can’t take nothing for granted. I’m not going to let none of these kids beat me out here either.” The camp ran Friday through Saturday. -Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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