Last Friday, Buffalo Bills tight end Robert Royal proved that you can go home
again.
In fact, he was determined to return to New Orleans, Louisiana in hopes of
making a difference in the lives of the stricken city's youth. Many are still
struggling as the city continues to rebuild from the devastation caused by
Hurricane Katrina.
"I've always wanted to give back to the community, especially being a
native of New Orleans," he said last week as he was making his final
preparations for his 1st Annual T.E.A.M. Football Camp for Kids. "I want to
bring some hope into their lives and let them know that you can do something
positive with your life, so don't give up. You can move forward even with all
the tragedy, there is hope out there."
The veteran tight end, who is entering his sixth season in the NFL, assembled
an impressive group of players to launch the free camp, including some who also
played at LSU before starting their professional careers.
"Takeo Spikes, one of my former teammates from Buffalo who's now with the
Philadelphia Eagles and Ryan Clark, another native of New Orleans, who plays for
the Steelers will both be there," he said. "I have Antonio Pierce,
Marcus Washington, Fred Smoot, Kendrick Allen, and Dwayne Bowe helping out. Some of the guys from Buffalo are coming in as well, including Kiwaukee Thomas, George Wilson, and a number of others."
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While the kids will get to spend some time learning more about football from
the players, the camp's "Chalk Talks" with the campers will focus on
the importance of staying positive -- even when faced with adversity -- working
hard, getting a good education and staying away from drugs.
"Especially with all the devastation that's gone on, a lot of those kids
have been faced with negative talk about what the city and people aren't
providing for them," Royal explained. "I just want to show them
that there are people from Louisiana that are doing positive things and who care
about them.
The former Redskins tight end, who is entering his second season in Buffalo,
hopes to instill in each young person who attends the camp the T.E.A.M. concept
that was chosen as the theme for this special camp.
"The idea of T.E.A.M., Together Everyone Achieves More, is something I
firmly believe in because it takes more than one person to be successful in
life," he said. "You need help from a lot different people to achieve
your dreams."
Royal got plenty of help from a great team to put together this event, and he
expressed his gratitude for the participation of his fellow NFL players, the
many sponsors who got involved, and even to the NFL for making the NFL Yet
Center in New Orleans available for the camp.
The invited campers are members of the New Orleans Boys and Girls Clubs, some of
whom are still living in FEMA trailers while they continue to wait for permanent
housing. Royal wants to be sure that they know that they can rise above all that
adversity.
"I really want those kids know that as long as you put your best foot
forward, believe in yourself, believe in others and respect others around you,
whether it's in sports or society you'll make it in life," he said.