NFL Player Robert Royal Motivates Hometown Youth On And Off The Field At 5th Annual Free New Orleans T.E.A.M. Football Camp

Robert Royal of the Cleveland Browns partnered again with the City of New Orleans for his 5th Annual T.E.A.M.(Together Each Achieves More) free youth football and cheer camp. Robert and his football colleagues hosted a free camp for 350 kids ages 7-18 in New Orleans, LA. This year's camp included a special initiative on childhood obesity through a partnership with Gulf Coast Social Services. End Quote

New Orleans, LA (1888PressRelease) July 08, 2011 - Robert Royal, a New Orleans native and LSU alum, along with his T.E.A.M. of NFL colleagues, provided a fun filled day on the field for hundreds of youth ages 8-18 at his 5th Annual free football and cheer camp at the Cut Off Center in New Orleans.

The Robert Royal Foundation enlisted an all-star roster of players and professional cheerleaders to assist Rob in his mission to give back to his community. The kids enjoyed a full day of drills, agility training and mentoring. The cheer camp instructors along with Certified Health Coach Toneka Pires taught fundamental cheer techniques, routines, and gave the young ladies instruction on strengthening their core, living a healthy lifestyle and being fit.

This year's camp also included a special initiative on childhood obesity through a partnership with Gulf Coast Social Services. According to the Center For Disease Control this growing epidemic affects 25 million youth nationally and the Robert Royal Foundation in partnership with GCSS are working to provide parents with beneficial information and spread awareness and solutions to the issue that plagues their city.

Although the camp was the focal part of the weekend, the players' visit to the Bridge City Juvenile detention city was perhaps a pivotal component of the weekend's activities. For many of its detainees, aged 12-18 this is the last stop before continuing on to an adult facility. The players spoke candidly to the young men about their past mistakes and how they made the commitment to live a better life, move on from the past and follow their dreams. The detainees' questions and comments ensured the players that the message had been well received.

"I told those young men about the mistakes I made as a teenager from the streets. But I refused to dwell on those mistakes," said Royal, "I chose to follow my dream and motivate myself to succeed. Not having parents, money or any role models is no excuse. Motivate yourself!"

Royal has consistently been active in giving back to his community since the beginning of his NFL career. "He has always been a fantastic guy that understood since his first year stepping on the scene in the NFL how important it was to give back to his respective community and the kids in the area," Santana Dotson (former Packers) told Hunter Paniagua of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The outpouring of support for Robert's commitment to his mission to support the youth in New Orleans was incredible. Countless numbers of volunteers from LSU, Karr High School and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., worked tirelessly all weekend and pledged their support to Robert for years to come.

Participating players included: Abe Elam (Browns), Rock Cartwright (Raiders), George Wilson (Bills), Patrick Trahan (Bears) and Derrick Morgan (Titans), Mike Gaines (former Texans), Santana Dotson (former Packers). The cheer camp was led by Monica Cravinas (former Cheerleader Cowboys/Saints), Deryn Derbigny (former Cheerleader Saints, Hornets, Cowboys) and Candice Smith (former Cheerleader Saints, Texans).

The Robert Royal Foundation's 5th Annual T.E.A.M. Youth Football & Cheer Camp was sponsored in part by the City of New Orleans, NORD, Gulf Coast Social Services, LaChip, Whole Foods, Crescent City Graphics, Chad Smith, Smoothie King, M & I Bank, NFL Youth Football Fund, NFL Players Association, Priority Sports, Performance Enhancement Professionals, Academy Sports, Popeye's, Coca Cola, Wise Chips, Signs Now #77, Southern Eagle Distributors, Mockler Beverage Company, Rubensteins, Algiers Booster Club and Dicks Sporting Goods.

About the Robert Royal Foundation: The Robert Royal Foundation's key objectives are to help reduce the financial burden facing many of New Orleans youth as they progress within their chosen sports and educational goals, to provide access to sport and recreation service to rural and remote communities in New Orleans, and to provide opportunities for ongoing professional development.

For more information on The Robert Royal Foundation and upcoming events please visit, http://www.robertroyalfoundation.org/our-mission/.

Camp photos: http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2011/07/nfl_player_robert_royals_camp_14.html

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