Area children learn the Cowboy way

It was a day of training for some 400 children and teenagers as they learned what it's like to play football with the Dallas Cowboys.

They practiced stances, shuffles and backpedal routines. They also learned it's all about being a team player.

"He's your teammate. We show sportsmanship," Cowboys wide receiver Sam Hurd said as he drilled a group of about 20 children. "Right now we are all Cowboys."

Hurd, along with teammates Quincy Butler, Mike Jefferson and Deon Anderson, participated in Thursday's football camp, which benefited the United Way of Southern Cameron County. It was the first time the Cowboys had attended such an event in Brownsville.

Prior to the camp's start, Hurd said "Today, let's just have some fun. Let's not worry, let's not cry, let's not complain. Everybody from the little kids to the big kids have fun."

Many of the children and teenagers at the camp were decked out in Cowboys jerseys and T-shirts, showing their support for "America's Team."

"I like him," Hurd said pointing to Isaac Garcia, 11, of Brownsville, who was wearing the No. 9 jersey of Cowboys starting quarterback Tony Romo. "Give me a stance. I know you want to play quarterback."

The heat did not keep the mini-Cowboys in training from running, throwing passes, practicing backpedals, shuffles and stances referred to as NFL drills.

"Drop like you are about to get on the toilet," Hurd said, explaining to youth about how to lower themselves to a stance position.

"Shuffle all the way down here," yelled out one of the many junior high and high school coaches helping with the camp.

Although football is mainly known as a guys game, 12-year-old Ariana Garcia, also of Brownsville, took part in the football drills.

Garcia said she plays football at home with her family and was excited when she heard the Cowboys were putting on a camp for area youth.

"It's really nice that they are here," Garcia said during a water break.

Lucio Middle School seventh-grade football coach Silvestre Torres said it was great to have the Cowboys giving the youth additional insight on the game.

Torres hopes having the Cowboys teach the players will help them have a better retention of the plays used in the games.

"It is just great because they have the opportunity to see these professional players they look up to and get pointers from them," Torres said. "With the professional players here (providing tips) they will probably remember them," when the football season begins.

Jefferson was impressed by how active the youth were and how well they were listening to the coaches and players when they were giving the drills.

"That's why one of the biggest things is listening to the coaches," said Jefferson, who was teaching the youths drills that had to deal with receiving and ball security.

"Ball security and footwork are two of the biggest things that a football player needs to be able to do, so that is some of the drills I am running so far. I am having a great time," Jefferson said.

For 11-year-old Polo Cantu, the camp was all about learning how to better play the game. He will be entering middle school in August and plans to play football.

"I like it so far," Cantu said halfway through the camp. "I've learned defensive stances and stuff about the game. It's cool."

Anderson said running around with the youth brought back memories of when he was a kid growing up, not really understanding what was going on.

"When I was about 14, that is when I started figuring out what football was all about," Anderson said. "When (Hurd) told me he was having this camp, it was not even a question, I was like when, where," is it going to be.

Hanna offensive coordinator Tom Campos was surprised the Cowboys were on the field participating in actual plays with the youth. The coaches were told the Cowboys would be walking around the camp giving tips and meeting and greeting those in attendance.

"Sam Hurd jumped in and our quarterback got to throw a pass to him" and it was completed, Campos said. "He can say, ‘I threw a pass to Sam Hurd.' "

"It makes a difference," when you have professional athletes coming down here, Campos said. "It is just a good experience for the kids."

Butler said the football camp not only gave him a good workout but also presented the children with the opportunity to see that professional athletes are interested in their well-being.

"We get to show them the ropes. When I was growing I never had this," Butler said. "I think it's more exciting for me than it is for them because I get to come out and play with them and have fun. I get to show them football is fun. It's a thing that you do and grow up love doing."

Laura B. Martinez writes for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach her via e-mail at lmartinez@brownsvilleherald.com.