Serving Tuscaloosa

After a 45 minute drive to Echols Middle School in Tuscaloosa, Al, I arrive to see numerous kids already registered wearing Le'Ron McClain T-Shirts, and numerous kids that are being registered for this football camp. I go over to register the 5 kids that I bought down to the camp. I am just listening, absorbing the atmosphere and watching the kids interact with one another.

Then out comes a man that is energetic. He is wearing a tank that says I <3 Haters ( I love Haters) that reads Motivation across the back neck. He is smiling from ear to ear. He is interacting with EVERYONE that he walks past. He takes the time out to take pictures with kids and parents. He shows a genuine enthusiasm for what he is about to do today. He even has on cleats. Is this the promoter or his agent? No it's not. This is the HOST of this camp. Le'Ron McClain.

Le'Ron McClain hails from Tuscaloosa, Al. He played high school ball at Tuscaloosa County High. He then went on to the University of Alabama from 2003-2006. After graduating with his degree, he was drafted 4th round by the Baltimore Ravens with the 137th pick in that year of the draft. Of course the first year was a learning curve as far as taking on the responsibility of an NFL fullback. But the next year, in 2008 he took the NFL by storm, earning a pro bowl appearance with 232 carries for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2009, he was poised for a big year, possibly to hit that 1000 yard mark, but he only got 46 carries the following year. He was a VERY solid lead blocker though and was awarded to a second pro bowl in 2009. His carries then decreased to 28 this year but again was a very good lead blocker, but did not get the pro bowl selection this year.

The kids are gathered in the bleachers and McClain speaks to them. He then turns them over to his own personal trainer Roland Burks. Burks speaks with the kids about how important nutrition is in their training and how important it is to take care of their bodies, even at a young age. As we the parents are listening to what they are saying to the kids, something sticks out that really puts into perspective just how much pride he puts into this camp. He tells the young men and women that if they are caught with their shirts out, they will have to do 10 push ups because you have to care about your image and show you have some sense of self worth.

This impressed not only me, but EVERY other parent in attendance.

Burks takes the kids down and gives them a professional warm-up. McClain is on the field with the kids for warm ups as well. He then breaks the kids up into stations. McClain has his own station where is not only showing the kids how to do the drills, but is going full speed and coaching the kids up on how to do the drill properly. After each group gets done, he puts the motto into their head, "It's not about how you start, but it's about finishing. Finish hard and give EVERYTHING you have in these drill and in life."

Sitting in the stands with some of the parents, they all were very impressed with the camp. Ron Burke was down visiting from Delaware to visit one of McClain's old high school football coaches. So this was the first time his son had been to McClain's football camp. "I feel really good about the camp. These are some great drills. It is good to see the kids having fun while learning a lot about football." I also got a chance to speak with Eric Estes from Northport, Al. He had 4 kids out there ages 13, 10, 9, and 6. "This is a great camp. It's fantastic what he is doing with these kids. Using the lessons that you learn in sports shows you that hard work can pay off. Even if you don't end up playing football, you can use these small lessons and apply to life. Anytime you work hard, a great result follows you."

After the football drills, Le'Ron let the kids have scrimmage sessions, 7 on 7 drills in which I got an opportunity to talk with him about the camp as well as some other issues.



4th and Inches Magazine: So Le'Ron, this is your 3rd year hosting the camp. Have things gotten progressively better over the years.
Le'Ron McClain: Oh yeah! They have gotten a lot better. Every year more and more kids come out. Each year it get more and more help with it. The first year I had a good turn out, but each year it gets bigger. I got better catering this year as well. This year I have parents in the stands watching the camp as well.
4th and Inches Magazine: So you have big year planned for the 2011 NFL season?
Le'Ron McClain: Yes sir! Working with my trainer Roland, I plan on being more explosive. When the lockout is over I am going going to be a free agent.
4th and Inches Magazine: Unrestricted?
Le'Ron McClain: Yep, I will be an unrestricted free agent.
4th and Inches Magazine:Do you want to stay in Baltimore?
Le'Ron McClain: I would love to stay in Baltimore, hopefully when the lockout is over, I will know what is going to happen, either staying with Baltimore or moving to the next opportunity available to me if Baltimore doesn't sign me back.
4th and Inches Magazine: Speaking of the lockout, how do you feel about it?
Le'Ron McClain: Well you know, it just kind of is what it is. The good thing is that the players and owners are talking again. And hopefully we can get back to playing football. But right now, you know.... it just is what it is.
4th and Inches Magazine: Well I do understand that. You had a great year in 2008, with 902 yards and 12 touchdowns. Then I look this year, and you had only 28 carries for 92 yards. Man what was up with that?
Le'Ron McClain: Yeah, I know. I wanted to get a t-shirt made that has the number 28 with a question mark. How do you go from 902 yards to 92 yards. I want the ball so I can show what I can do. That's why I am working so hard with my trainer Roland Burks to get in even better shape. He tells me when I am working out that this year I will have 28 touchdowns.
4th and Inches Magazine: Yeah, I agree. You had a great season in 2008 and had a lot of potential to grow just on how hard you were running. It could only get better from there. We follow you on twitter, what does that #sweater thing mean?
Le'Ron McClain: (Laughs) it is like my company. I got my fellas out here, taking pictures for my scrap book, filming what we are out here doing with the kids for me to have. And everything we do, you got to have a sweater on with it!
4th and Inches Magazine: Le'Ron, thanks for you time, I really appreciate it! I know you have to get back to the camp. You were my first interview, and I appreciate your time and having me here to cover the camp. Good luck on the upcoming season!
Le'Ron McClain: Anytime man. Anything I can do to help.




He then goes off to interact with the kids in his camp, the parents and signs t-shirt after t-shirt, takes picture after picture. And when the McAllister's gets there, he gathers all the kids up so they can make sure they eat before the camp ends. He has numerous other players there from the area as well as the 3rd pick in the 2010 NFL draft, Marcell Dareus, there to help with the camp and show the kids the proper techniques and preaching the same technique. Finishing strong. He also had his OWN personal trainer out there giving fitness tips and instruction on how to get their kids in shape, and what he does with Le'Ron to get him into the best shape of his life.

Where are the stories of these type of dealings with NFL players. The ones that go out into their communities where they were raised, no news cameras, no publicity stunts or trying to show the world what they are doing. All you see on the news is who got arrested for what, or who has been arrested about what. Asking yourself, 'Which player is in trouble now?!?! Damn, can these players do anything positive?' These are the type of stories that give hope. Willie Bates from Tuscaloosa, Al said, "It feels good to see these guys come back and give to the community. More players need to host camps like these and more. I get tired of hearing about players getting in trouble, I want to know more about players doing these types of things." Yeah you see the community service that is mandated by the team, but what about the things that these players do on their own. Maybe the NFLPA should look into funding for these events as well as adding bonuses for this type of work into these player's contract to promote this type of behavior with other players as well. Parents are in a time where it is hard to come up with money to pay the bills. They cannot always afford to send their kids to an expensive football camp. These free camps give kids a chance to meet a great player and learn from them. Sometimes these kids need to see for a fact that you don't have to come from money to become a successful man or woman. A lot of these players came from the same neighborhoods that they are in now. Sometimes the simple things can change a kid's life. And events like these start that.

Le'Ron McClain was back there in Tuscaloosa after the tornado hit, giving back to the community at that point as well too. No camera crew, just doing what he felt was right in his community.

After our interview, a kid says, "Let me get those cleats!" McClain looks at him and smiles. "I was just playing." McClain says, "Take them. They hurt my feet anyway. What size shoe you wear?"

Wow.