If you are a loyal subscriber/follower of our publication, then you are aware I author a twice monthly column titled “Behind the Lens.” The latest installment was published a scant few days ago dealing with a couple of current Pittsburgh Steelers saving a youth football event that former teammate George Pickens bailed on hosting. Contrary to him reassuring people he would not, even after his trade to the Dallas Cowboys.
Pickens’ bush-league move left TruEdge Sports, the camp sponsor, along with parents and their children in limbo. All were waiting and wondering if there would even be a camp in Pittsburgh.
On select occasions I’ll jump in and submit articles from events I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. Sunday was one of those times. The contents of this article needed to be penned now as opposed to waiting until August and the first Behind the Lens column of the new month.
Highmark Stadium on Pittsburgh’s South Side offered the venue for the Freiermuth/Highsmith Youth Football Camp. Pat and Alex stepped in, showed up and saved the camp from what appeared to be its ultimate demise.
The threat of rain was present as parents and campers began arriving as early as 11 a.m. Sunday, two hours prior to the check-in table opening. Dark clouds yielded their path to white cotton ball-like ones and the sun burst through, heating up the temperature on and off the field.
One o’clock brought a huge sigh of relief as camp participants registered, checked in and proceeded to join their family members in the stands. This time was utilized to relax, hydrate and watch the camp staff prepare the field for the participants.
After the final wave of campers completed the check-in process, the camp director/coach sounded his silver whistle, summoning all to the playing surface. In military-like fashion, 300 boys and girls ages 6 to 16 filed onto a soccer field transformed into a football field. Perhaps it may be referred to as football’s version of field of dreams.
Resembling Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, site of the Steelers training camp, orange cones and pylons adorned the playing surface as campers received their camp instructions via the coach prior to its start.
Players were grouped according to their age in the interest of fair competition among the campers beginning with the 6-year-old grouping and ending with the 16-year-olds.
The layout boasted 11 football-related stations, with campers hitting each station for hands-on instruction and development from the staff consisting of available high school and small college coaches.
An unannounced pleasant surprise to the coaching staff, showing up hours before the scheduled 2 p.m. start time, was none other than current Steelers defensive line coach Karmichael “Karl” Dunbar. Who, by the way, was all business as usual, loud and vocal, supportive but strict.
The clock struck the bewitching hour of exactly 2 p.m. and right on cue Freiermuth and Highsmith emerged from the west side of the field to a thunderous applause by campers, staffers, parents and fans.
Each player delivered his welcome speech to the crowd and in whirlwind fashion the camp was underway — meticulous and precise in every aspect.
As the mercury rose and the sun beat down on the sweaty campers, the staff’s main goal was participant safety. Campers followed their pre-start instructions by staying well hydrated at the midfield watering tent after completing each station, then cycling through and moving to their next endeavor.
From a nonparticipant standpoint, each child no matter the age was attentive, polite and professional as all were supportive of others in the group. To say the campers enjoyed each station would be an understatement.
Campers moved through each station as their prerequisite complimentary white camp T-shirts became drenched in sweat with each cycle. Faces grew a deeper shade of red from the sun and heat or perhaps sheer exhaustion. However, faces could still be seen wearing a smile – well, at least the younger campers.
Each camper received a photo opportunity with both Freiermuth and Highsmith, courtesy of the staff photographer, along with an autographed photo from each as promised. Around 20 families were selected to join their child for a group photo with both Steelers.
There were so many positives from this day that naming them all would be nearly impossible. However, in the following paragraphs I’m going to select what ranks as the favorite of the 11 stations the campers ventured through Sunday afternoon.
Ready? Let’s see if you agree that my selection is No. 1 no matter what the age of the camper. This is the proverbial no-brainer.
No. 1, the joint instructed camp station with hosts Freiermuth and Highsmith and a game of two-handed touch football. If you are around my age, old, then you remember playing the same game on the street in front of your childhood home and yelling, “CAR.” No need to yell that Sunday.
At this station, each group was divided in half, making up two teams as Freiermuth and Highsmith served as the quarterback for their respective teams.
No need for a playbook, marker and dry erase board or runner from the sidelines shuttling in the next play selection. Huddles were formed after each down with plays being drawn out on the ground or the quarterback’s shirt with their finger.
Even though both hosts were playing out of their normal tight end and edge rusher positions, both couldn’t help but let their competitive juices flow with each group. This was especially true with the older age groups.
The thrill of taking a handoff or hauling a pass from either Steeler is a memory that will be cherished and talked about for many years to come.
A huge shout-out and round of applause should go to these two men who stepped up and in to reassure everyday people and fans that a star NFL player is human, caring, compassionate and giving especially when children are involved.
Departing the field today both Pat and Alex took the time to walk over, shake my hand and thank me for coming out and covering the event.
No gentlemen, you both deserve all the thanks, not me. You both jumped into action, gave your time and saved the camp to the delight of all.
The last thing both said to me was, “See you in Latrobe in a few days.” Absolutely was my response, as it appears my summer has ended, signaling the start of training camp for all levels of football in Western Pennsylvania.
Photos by Mike Longo Jr.
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