ARLINGTON, Texas –Two former NFL greats – former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle and Super Bowl Champion Tony Casillas and former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle and Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz – were centerfield at Cowboys Stadium Monday speaking to young campers on football, fitness and the importance of good character both in athletics and in life.
In what was the first ever NFL Play 60 Character Camp to be hosted in the Dallas area, Casillas and Muñoz as well as volunteer coaches from the DFW Metroplex introduced nearly 300 boys and girls, ages 9 to 13, to the basics of football while emphasizing values like respect, sportsmanship and teamwork.
"It's who you are and the choices you make when no one's looking – that's what defines your character," Muñoz told campers.
The camp, a joint program of the NFL and Muñoz Agency, is geared towards predominantly Hispanic youth who have had little to no experience with the game of football. Most participants in Monday's camp at Cowboys Stadium – the sixth of 12 Character Camps being held in NFL cities this summer – were from local Salvation Army programs.
Casillas echoed Muñoz on the importance of good character, commenting that football is a game that introduced him to people of all walks of life. He also encouraged campers to be good learners and listen to their coaches – especially when it comes safety techniques. As an ambassador for USA Football's Heads-Up Football program, he explained the importance of concussion awareness and proper tackling techniques before hitting the field and demonstrating some safety drills himself.
Also joining the fun Monday were Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Cowboys mascot Rowdy. Campers had the chance to take photos with the cheerleaders and were also given a Play 60 football, courtesy of the NFL, as a souvenir.
To learn more about the NFL Play 60 Character Camps as well as other youth football and Play 60 programs, visit NFLRush.com.
