Young V.I. football players learn from NFL vets at camp

ST. THOMAS — While up-tempo football action played out on the five short-sided fields, Luis Brown, one of the territory’s top prep lineman, took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He didn’t compete in the 7-on-7 passing competitions. Instead, Brown grabbed NFL superstar Flozell Adams, of the Dallas Cowboys, for a memorable conversation that he will never forget.

“What I realized by talking with him is that his experience growing up is very similar to mine,” the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Brown said. “I had to take advantage of the NFL players here. During our 20-minute conversation, I learned a lot of things.”

Brown’s interaction with a professional football player was just one of many that were had Monday as the free three-day Football & Life Skills Camp kicked off at the University of Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.

Over 200 youth football players from St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John showed up for the first day and camp organizers are encouraging more to come out.

“The things I’ve learned while playing professional football can really help these kids,” Super Bowl champion Roland Williams said. “It’s a common bond we all share. We may live 3,000 miles away but football has brought us together. The kids are excited and they’re very eager to learn.”

Williams, the founder and CEO of Youth Lifeline America, is one of the camp directors and said 12 more NFL players will be at camp today. The morning session starts at 9 a.m. and will include interactive workshops and lectures before the camp shifts to the gridiron.

The non-contact football camp is open to boys and girls from ages 13- to 18-years-old. All high school athletes and area football coaches are also invited to attend.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a good hands-on football camp here,” said Charlotte Amalie High School football coach Francisco Jarvis, who help direct the games Monday. “They’ve always brought in NFL players to sign autographs and do charity stuff but this is the first time in several years we’ve actually had a camp.”

While watching his own high school players receive advice from some of the best football players in the world, Jarvis used the words, “priceless” and “invaluable” to describe the experience.

“You can’t buy this kind of opportunity,” he said. “This is the highlight of their summer and I know the kids are very appreciative of this.”

After the camp participants were divided into 10 squads named after NFL teams, they took the field for intense flag football games. Camp counselors directed traffic on the field and cheered for players while the NFL players kept their heads on a swivel.

Williams bounced around from game to game, blowing his whistle and counting down the play clock.

“These kids are ready to work,” said Williams, a premier blocking tight end, who helped lead the St. Louis Rams to a win over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. “There’s a lot that can be learned by using sports as the catalyst to change people’s lives. These kids have come to camp and are ready to learn on and off the field.”

The topic of Brown’s conversation with Adams, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, wasn’t just about football.

“I got a good perception about him and he was asking a lot of questions,” Adams said. “As we were talking, I was telling him some different things outside of football. He’s hungry and I know he can succeed.”

— Contact sports reporter Aaron Gray at 774-8772 ext. 352 or e-mail agray@dailynews.vi.

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