Tuskers Players, Head Coach Work With Central Florida Youth
Teaching football and having fun was the order of the day as the Florida Tuskers participated in the annual NCAA Youth Football Camp at the Florida Citrus Bowl on Wednesday morning. Sponsored by the NCAA and ran in conjunction with Florida Citrus Sports, the free event was open to all children 14 and under but concentrated on the under-served youth from the inter-city areas of Orlando. More than 225 children participated in the event, which included a two-hour football clinic, lunch, and a motivational talk from Florida Tuskers Head Coach Jay Gruden. Tuskers players participating included defensive lineman Eric Powell (Florida State/Orlando Jones High School), quarterback Matt Grothe (University of South Florida/Lake Gibson HS in Lakeland), running back Kevin Harris (Wake Forest/Seminole and WinterSprings High School) and wide receiver Rocky Ross (Central Florida/Jacksonville Bolles HS). The players joined several college coaches and worked one six stations where they taught various football drills to the children. The players then enjoyed lunch with the kids at the Varsity Club in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Following lunch, Coach Gruden delivered a talk to the campers – delivering a message that everyone needs to work just as hard in the classroom as they do on the sports field. “You have to have the talent, you have to have the desire, but to play professional sports, you have to be willing to work harder than everyone else,” Gruden told the group. “But it’s the same in education. It’s not easy and sometimes the classes may seem boring, but that’s when you have to be willing to work your hardest.” The Camp is one of just three events the Tuskers will participate in this week. On Saturday, players, coaches and staff members will help paint the classrooms in a news charter school opening in Orlando; while Coach Gruden and select players and dance team members will help raise funds for breast cancer awareness as the 104.1 Monsters Bowl-a-Rama.
