By Jeremy Fowler
Tribune Reporter
Ben Tillman traveled 335 miles from Pueblo, Colo., to attend Brian Urlacher's 2004 Summer Football Camp and meet his football hero.
The 10-year-old was hoping for a hello from the NFL star, maybe a handshake, or possibly a sportsman-like pat on the butt.
Any acknowledgement from the ex-University of New Mexico Lobos star would have been appreciated by Tillman, especially since the Pro Bowl Chicago Bears linebacker has been plastered in poster form on Tillman's bedroom wall since the second grade.
"At this pace, I'd be pretty upset if I didn't get to talk to him," said Tillman, a distant cousin to former NFL safety and war hero Pat Tillman.
"I'm going to try my hardest, though."
Many of the 218 campers from ages 8 to 18 probably could empathize with Tillman after noticing Urlacher's detached approach during the first day of the four-day camp being held at the UNM practice fields.
Urlacher, 26, arrived at his camp about halfway through the 3-hour session. He assisted in a few drills and posed for photos with each age group.
He didn't address his camp with a welcome or provide words of motivation.
He left camp early, allowing a slew of assisting coaches to conclude the day with drills.
Urlacher is scheduled to conduct an autograph session for campers Thursday, but several campers are not happy with Urlacher's apparent lack of interest in his own camp.
"That's what the camp is for - for us to be with Brian Urlacher," said 13-year-old Chris Herrera, whose parents spent $150 for his camp fee.
"It's called the Brian Urlacher camp, so we want to see him more."
Urlacher has a big group to please this summer. The camp increased by 37 campers from last year's 181 count.
Herds of football-hungry kids screamed "1, 2, 3 - Urlacher" in huddles throughout the day while donning their Urlacher Camp T-shirts. A vendor sold Urlacher's Chicago Bears and Lobos jerseys from a trailer.
Urlacher rejected interview requests from the media in favor of "concentrating on the kids," said his agent, Bryce Karger.
Then the former Lobos standout bolted his camp to have lunch with UNM coach Rocky Long - the benefactor of Urlacher's pledge to donate $500,000 to the Lobos Athletics Department to help build an indoor football practice facility.
Urlacher also has another non-camp function Wednesday - an autograph session from 11 a.m. to noon at Cross Country Auto Sales, located at 5704 Lomas Blvd. N.E.
Coaches from Urlacher's camp said the staff will continue to focus on football fundamentals. Monday's session concentrated on running Urlacher's favorite drills as a youngster.
Anthony Chavez, 13, an aspiring linebacker, said this camp is a chance to emulate Urlacher.
"If Urlacher made it to the NFL with these drills, maybe I can make it if I do the same things," Chavez said. "This is my opportunity."
The campers who received the most quality time with Urlacher were in a hitting drill where the Chicago Bears linebacker clutched a blocking pad while tykes pounded into it.
"We got to whack him," said Codie White, 13. "I got a good one on him."
Most other campers probably are hoping for a similar chance.
http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/sports04/061504_sports_url.shtml
Tribune Reporter
Ben Tillman traveled 335 miles from Pueblo, Colo., to attend Brian Urlacher's 2004 Summer Football Camp and meet his football hero.
The 10-year-old was hoping for a hello from the NFL star, maybe a handshake, or possibly a sportsman-like pat on the butt.
Any acknowledgement from the ex-University of New Mexico Lobos star would have been appreciated by Tillman, especially since the Pro Bowl Chicago Bears linebacker has been plastered in poster form on Tillman's bedroom wall since the second grade.
"At this pace, I'd be pretty upset if I didn't get to talk to him," said Tillman, a distant cousin to former NFL safety and war hero Pat Tillman.
"I'm going to try my hardest, though."
Many of the 218 campers from ages 8 to 18 probably could empathize with Tillman after noticing Urlacher's detached approach during the first day of the four-day camp being held at the UNM practice fields.
Urlacher, 26, arrived at his camp about halfway through the 3-hour session. He assisted in a few drills and posed for photos with each age group.
He didn't address his camp with a welcome or provide words of motivation.
He left camp early, allowing a slew of assisting coaches to conclude the day with drills.
Urlacher is scheduled to conduct an autograph session for campers Thursday, but several campers are not happy with Urlacher's apparent lack of interest in his own camp.
"That's what the camp is for - for us to be with Brian Urlacher," said 13-year-old Chris Herrera, whose parents spent $150 for his camp fee.
"It's called the Brian Urlacher camp, so we want to see him more."
Urlacher has a big group to please this summer. The camp increased by 37 campers from last year's 181 count.
Herds of football-hungry kids screamed "1, 2, 3 - Urlacher" in huddles throughout the day while donning their Urlacher Camp T-shirts. A vendor sold Urlacher's Chicago Bears and Lobos jerseys from a trailer.
Urlacher rejected interview requests from the media in favor of "concentrating on the kids," said his agent, Bryce Karger.
Then the former Lobos standout bolted his camp to have lunch with UNM coach Rocky Long - the benefactor of Urlacher's pledge to donate $500,000 to the Lobos Athletics Department to help build an indoor football practice facility.
Urlacher also has another non-camp function Wednesday - an autograph session from 11 a.m. to noon at Cross Country Auto Sales, located at 5704 Lomas Blvd. N.E.
Coaches from Urlacher's camp said the staff will continue to focus on football fundamentals. Monday's session concentrated on running Urlacher's favorite drills as a youngster.
Anthony Chavez, 13, an aspiring linebacker, said this camp is a chance to emulate Urlacher.
"If Urlacher made it to the NFL with these drills, maybe I can make it if I do the same things," Chavez said. "This is my opportunity."
The campers who received the most quality time with Urlacher were in a hitting drill where the Chicago Bears linebacker clutched a blocking pad while tykes pounded into it.
"We got to whack him," said Codie White, 13. "I got a good one on him."
Most other campers probably are hoping for a similar chance.
http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/sports04/061504_sports_url.shtml
