‘I never got to participate in a camp like this’
There was no doubt Tyrone Crawford was a mountain of a man towering over a sea of children swarming around him.
But the hometown NFL hero — a six-foot-four, 285-pound defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys — was having a blast Saturday at the University of Windsor while hosting Windsor’s Finest Football Academy for the fourth straight year.
“This feels good, it’s our fourth year and we love it,” Crawford said. “I never got to participate in a camp like this. That’s why I always want to come back and do it for the city.
“Coming back to the city where I am from with some of my teammates and friends who play in the CFL is amazing.
“To be able to coach these kids, give a little mentoring, hopefully they will get something out of this and become leaders, great athletes and good people themselves.”
Crawford, 27, attended Catholic Central High School in Windsor before moving on to Boise State University and entering the NFL with the Cowboys in 2012.
Several of his teammates with the Cowboys and a handful of players from the CFL also attended the football camp to provide instruction to about 300 participants.
Many of the youngsters took turns getting up close for a few words, a photo or a signature from Crawford.
“I look up to Tyrone for sure,” said Brad Valade, a 13-year old student who attends St. Christopher School. “My dream is to become an NFL player. I look up to him and hopefully I can one day become a good influence just like him.”
Elite Sports Society and NFL Canada helped organize and oversee the camp.
“This is an opportunity for these kids to find a new mentor — whether it’s Tyrone, people he brought here from the Cowboys or other players,” said Alex Guerrero of Elite Sports Society, who also was a teammate of Crawford’s at Boise State.
“What really drives youth is people who influence them. Tyrone had guys he looked up to when he was young, now he gets to be the guy. We created the mantra this year ‘why not us.’ We want the kids to understand this could be you, so believe it.”
One mom on the sidelines loved how Crawford returns to Windsor every year to host the football camp.
“For me it’s how he takes pride in where he is from,” said Lakeshore’s Cristina Rodrigues, whose 14-yearold son Conner was participating for the fourth year.
“I think it’s amazing how Tyrone comes back every year and does this for the kids. More people should do what he does — NHL players or other athletes. It’s important. I know my son really looks forward to this every year.
The first time of seeing the hometown NFL player up close a few years ago, Rodrigues was amazed at Crawford’s size.
“He’s huge, but really comes off as a gentle giant,” she said.