It would seem as if Garth Brooks wouldn’t have much down time during his whirlwind visit to New Orleans, what with four shows in 48 hours, but he did find some time to host a football camp at Newman.
Brooks’ “Teammates for Kids Foundation,” partners with “Pro Camps” to host sports-related camps at every tour stop.
And, while it may be a football camp where ‘x’s’ and ‘o’s’ were discussed, Brooks’ message to the youngsters was universal, something to keep their minds on both on and off the field.
“These guys are here to teach skills,” said Brooks. “These guys believe in themselves, and the message we want to get in this camp, more than anything else, is loving one another. That’s what we’re all down here on the planet for is to love one another and to see it in these sports, see it in these kids, is what it’s all about.”
“The name of the camp is Teammates and the purpose is learning to work with others,” said Packers All-Pro guard Josh Sitton. “So many people that I’ve met in my life because of football that I never would have gotten a chance to meet. Some of my best friends… you learn to work with people from all different backgrounds, all different races. It just brings people together and it’s a beautiful thing.”
Sitton plays at Lambeau Field, so he knows all about a great atmosphere and he said he never looks forward to playing in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
“I cannot stand Saints fans because they are so good,” he said. “It’s unbelievably tough to play here. Us (Green Bay), Seattle and New Orleans, I think, are the best fans in the NFL. It’s very impressive to come and play down here and like I said, I can’t stand playing down here.”
Rummel and Tulane grad Troy Krowpog was happy to share his knowledge of football with the campers. The offensive tackle spent the 2014 season on IR, but he said the key to earning a roster spot this year with the Giants is simple – he has to find a way to stay on the field.
“Not be hurt, not be injured, which is easier said than done,” he said. “It’s something I’m working on. I’ve been getting after it for a year, feeling good, and, like I said, we’ll know something in a few weeks.”
Former LSU Linebacker Eric Alexander won a Super Bowl with the Patriots during his tenure in the NFL. He now resides in New Orleans and is excited to see what new Tiger Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele can accomplish in Baton Rouge…
“I think he’s going to make a difference,” he said. “I had a chance to talk to him this offseason and he seems like a great guy, got a chance to talk to him before, coming out of high school when he was at Baylor, so I kinda know him, think he’s going to be the right fit at LSU.”
Garth Brooks has been topping the music charts for decades — but he said none of today’s young campers have any idea who he is – but they do know sports and they know athletes. So, no matter how busy his tour stops may be, Brooks always finds time to put America’s youth in touch with positive role models.
