By Paul Letlow Special Contributor to DallasCowboys.com
WEST MONROE, La. - From his own youth, Bradie James recalled the impact of his encounter with former NFL great Willie Roaf.
"I remember one year, Willie Roaf came in and he spoke at a banquet," said James, a six-year linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. "I'll never forget half of the stuff that he said."
For James, the chance to deliver that same feeling and influence to youngsters in his hometown keeps him coming back annually to put on a free football camp at his high school.
"We've got a lot of good talent," James said during a break from the action at West Monroe High School. "We've got some eight-year-olds that will be some future NFL stars. We've got some 14, 15, 16-year olds, and those guys are looking like real talent."
History says that James' assessment is on the mark. The region has served as a pipeline for programs at the next level, including his alma mater LSU.
"Northeast Louisiana always has a lot of talented guys who come out of this area," James said. "We've got a lot of guys who always get scholarships. Hopefully, we're doing something right here today that will help these guys in the future."
James and NFL friends like Felix Jones, Flozell Adams and Marcus Spears, along with Eric Ogbogu of Under Armour fame and ex-LSU teammates like Rodney Reed and Marcus Yanez, provided hands-on coaching for the large turnout of boys. He also enlists help from guys like Kirk Frantom, the longtime West Monroe trainer.
"We just got done with minicamp," James said. "For Felix, Flozell and Marcus Spears to come out is a good thing. A lot of guys haven't even gotten any sleep. I wasn't trying to get a whole bunch of people, but I like to bring different guys who will work. These guys are real good with the kids."
Jones and Spears said they enjoy pitching in for a good cause.
"I love it," Spears said. "I've been around some good ones (coaches). I kind of know the ends and outs of what to do and how to keep their attention. I know when to lay off a little bit and I know when to push them hard. It's been fun."
Said Jones: "This is a great opportunity to give back. I think this is a great thing he's doing for these young kids coming up, especially since he's from this area. This is a fantastic camp."
Despite blazing temperatures on a June day in Louisiana, spirits ran high during the several hours the players spent with the kids.
"I know these guys won't forget it and they'll cherish every moment of it," James said. "I'm just trying to do something that will cause some kind of impact in their lives. I think we're doing a good job."
Now in its fourth year of existence, "The James Gang" camp has actually taken some of the celebrity shine off James in his hometown. Locals have grown accustomed to seeing him around this time of year.
"After a while, they just start hanging with me," James said. "When they first meet me, they're like 'Man, can I get an autograph?'
"But after a while, they're like 'Man, you're just like us.' That's a pretty good thing."
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James and NFL friends like Felix Jones, Flozell Adams and Marcus Spears, along with Eric Ogbogu of Under Armour fame and ex-LSU teammates like Rodney Reed and Marcus Yanez, provided hands-on coaching for the large turnout of boys. He also enlists help from guys like Kirk Frantom, the longtime West Monroe trainer.
