NFL Gives Back to the Community

Grand Terrace High School received a special visit from Colton High School graduates, now NFL professionals Shareece Wright of the San Diego Chargers and Jimmy Smith of the Baltimore Ravens as they hosted their Second Annual Different Breed Elite Skills and Drills 2014 Football Camp at Grand Terrace High School. The Different Breed event is a local community event put on by the two pro athletes. The event is to give back to the community and offer developing athletes tips and advice to improve their skills. Wright and Smith share that they give back to the community because this is where they grew up and played football, and they want to help local kids achieve their dreams. The morning was filled with eager athletes awaiting tips from NFL stars Jimmy Smith and Shareece Wright. Before the event started, NFL agent Drew Rosenhouse offered the children words of encouragement, “Be active and stay out of trouble,” said Rosenhouse. “Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, but be prepared to work hard in order to capture your dreams.” After his speech, Rosenhouse introduced the pro athletes to the field to begin the event. Jimmy Smith then introduced other members of the NFL family such as Grand Terrace's own Brad Sorensen of the San Diego Chargers to offer the children tips on improving their game. The children were then broken into eight different groups to practice different football drills such as the ladder drill, catching passes from Brad Sorensen, and tackling dummies. “The best part [about the event] is giving the kids the opportunity to get better,” said Shareece Wright of the San Diego Chargers. “And give them the opportunity to work with NFL players." At the closing end of the event, all the children had the opportunity to meet the NFL players and get signatures on their t-shirts. During an interview, Shareece Wright offered a last piece of advice to the children, “Know what you want to do and make it happen. Don’t let anyone discourage you. There is nothing in life that you can think of that’s impossible. Anything you can think of is possible, if you can think it you can do it.” For those interested in helping with the third annual Different Breed camp should contact Ryan Smalls the head coach of Colton High School.