DC Metro Sports - Giving Back is One of Summer's Fundamentals for D.C. Defensiveback

Written by "Hurricane" Forest C. Godwin
Wednesday, 03 September 2008
With the passing of Labor Day, Americans mark the unofficial end of summer. The few days sandwiched after the holiday and the start of the NFL season seem perfect for reflection. You see, during the summer there is no shortage of charitable events for one to attend. Most likely you have attended one of these events. We are talking $200 plate dinners, celebrity softball, basketball or flag football games, bowl with your favorite player events etc. All of which are designed to contribute to society in the form of money, support and bringing awareness to some extremely important causes. No doubt in my mind these events provide exactly what they set out to accomplish. In fact, I have attended some of the aforementioned charitable or community events. Community events like the one held by Washington Redskins cornerback Leigh Torrence may have the biggest impact. His event reaches out and touches children right now while providing an experience that could influence children for years to come. The 3rd Annual Leigh Torrence 4th Down Fundamentals Camp offered 400 young boys and girls from age 8-16 the once in a lifetime opportunity to learn football fundamentals from NFL players. The event occurs every year in the same Southwest Atlanta neighborhood where Torrence grew up. He has returned to the area for 3 years with some of his friends from the NFL to give this FREE camp to children in his old neighborhood. That's right, I said FREE. Some of you are very aware of football camps that offer children the opportunity to work with an NFL player. Your checkbooks are well aware of the camps existence as well. Camps like the 4th Down Fundamentals Camp are given free thanks to sponsors, but the hard work of volunteers keeps the camp growing every year. Mrs. Cecelia Torrence, Leigh's mother is probably the most important volunteer. She can be seen running around the fields of the Police Athletic League with a bull horn making sure all loose ends are tied up. She along with Leigh believes they are just contributing to the same sense community that existed while Leigh was growing up. "We had alot of help...we were fortunate that we lived in a community that supports the kids." says Mrs. Torrence. In attendance were 8 other NFL players who worked for free at the camp. In fact, there seems to be a network of players who travel the country during the summer to help other players who offer free camps to their respective communities. What appears most important to me is the impact that camps like this can have on a child. The affects are long term. Along with the football fundamentals, children learn valuable life skills they can use as adults. The children in attendance get up close and personal with the players. The interaction allows children to have conversations that go beyond football, it also allows life lessons to be taught. Stop and think, football players have to go to college. Education is a large part of the conversation and these guys have walked the walk. I don't begrudge anyone for going straight from high school to the pro's. If you are talented enough, go make your money. But most of us aren't. Sports can allow a student to prolong their playing experience while possibly getting a free education. No knock on the other leagues, but the "Stay in School Jam" doesn't have the same effectiveness when some of your biggest stars have never set foot on a college campus. The NFL players offer excellent role models, despite what we hear on the police blotter from time to time. Leigh Torrence, is well rounded as a professional. He is about more than the pigskin. A standout at tennis, the Stanford graduate also interns in Congressman John Lewis' office during the summer. "Leigh is a role model...he has never forgotten from which he came. Young people are very blessed to have him..." remarked Lewis. After his playing career is complete, Leigh could very well serve his community as a congressman or senator. His work in Congressmen Lewis' office is preparing him for a future without football. Congressman Lewis is correct, the children are extremely blessed to have Leigh and players like him who stay involved in their communities and continue to help shape the future. EYE OF THE STORM: As we look at the NFL, it's unfortunate that the latest news seems all to familiar to Leigh and his Redskins teammates. Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier remains in critical but stable condition after being shot in a Jacksonville apartment complex. The 26 year old had just hours earlier been added to the Jaguars 53 man roster. Collier is the third NFL player in 18 months to be shot. The Denver Broncos Darrent Williams was shot and killed in his limo while leaving a New Years party and Washington Redskin Sean Taylor was fatally wounded after being shot in his Miami home last season. The rash of violence is alarming. It's a very sad commentary on society when people, regardless of their occupation, can't enjoy the fruits of their labor. For you sports talk idiots who remarked about Collier being out late, save it for another time. He is a grown man and last time I checked, there is nothing wrong with a single man being out late. He wasn't committing a crime, he was sitting in his car. Richard Collier is the victim here. College football kicked off in earnest during the labor day weekend. The NCAA delivered it's usual first week of lopsided matchups and blowouts. But, it just felt great to be able to watch football get wall to wall coverage on a Saturday. Those rosy feelings don't exist for the ACC. Some of the conference's top teams were embarrassed on national T.V. USC would still be scoring on Virginia if there were no game clock, East Carolina out Beamerballed Virginia Tech and Alabama looked more like the 9th best team in the country against the actual 9th ranked Clemson. Part of why the BCS is a joke is because the so-called power conferences aren't always powerful. The Big East had a few down seasons before West Virginia and Louisville began holding their own nationally. However, these two conferences best teams were guaranteed a spot in the BCS, even in down years for the conference. There has got to be a new formula. How long can we keep the Fresno State's of the world out of the BCS? Baseball is exciting again. It's September and the schedule has some of the contending teams playing each other down the stretch. The Mets, Phillies, Cubs and Brewers will settle things on the field. Yes, I know I left the Dodgers and D'backs out, East Coast bias, remember? In the American League, no one could have imagined that the final game at Yankee stadium would actually be on September 21st. There will be no playoff baseball in the Bronx this year. Even more surprising this season is the Tampa Bay Rays. Who knew dropping 'devil' from the team name could mean a heavenly season for the countries most uninterested playoff bound fans? Finally, the New York Knicks acquired Patrick Ewing Jr. from the Houston Rockets in a trade. Perhaps the Knicks are hoping the name will sell some more tickets at the Garden. They must have been shocked that drafting Danilo Gallinari didn't have fans packing the 3 line headed to MSG to purchase season tickets. You are more likely to see people lined up outside of Gallinari's, that great little Italian place in Bed Stuy...you know the nice part with the trees. Email "Hurricane" Forest C. Godwin at "Hurricane" Forest C. Godwin can be heard each Wednesday on the SportsGroove with Mark Gray on WOL-AM in Washington

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