Oklahomans enjoy time with New York kids
Published: 4/21/2010 12:43 PM
Last Modified: 4/21/2010 12:43 PM
NEW YORK — Sam Bradford threw pass after pass. Hardly one of them was caught. But every throw was, for all intents, perfect.
Bradford wasn't the only one tossing footballs Wednesday morning in Central Park during a youth clinic for New York middle schoolers. He, Gerald McCoy, Trent Williams, Russell Okung and 14 other NFL Draft prospects were playing catch and conducting various other drills on a perfect sunny day as part of the NFL Play 60 youth fitness campaign.
But it wasn't the completions that counted. It was the time spent with the kids.
"This is the best part of the day," Gerald McCoy said. "Best part of the week, actually, by far."
Players took part in the pre-draft festivities after a national television appearance earlier in the day. There are activities scheduled throughout the day, but playing catch with a bunch of middle schoolers was the highlight.
Said Bradford, "Any time you get a chance to be around kids and help them, I love it."
Players met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, former NFL cornerback Deion Sanders and fitness guru Jillian Michaels and then played games with kids for more than an hour at Rumson Playfield in Central Park.
Later in the day, they'll visit the children's ward at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and after that, they'll ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
Then Thursday night, shortly after 6:30 inside Radio City Music Hall, Bradford should hear his name called as the No. 1 overall pick, likely of the St. Louis Rams.
"I'm excited," Bradford said. "But it's all happened so fast. From the time we got to Norman until now, it just sees like a blink of an eye."
What are Bradford's emotions?
"Very nervous. Very nervous," he said. "This is one of those moments that changes my life — forever. Not knowing where I'll be going is extremely nerve-wracking."
It's apparently not that way for everyone. Even though he could be the No. 2 overall pick — or anywhere in the top five — Okung is taking a different approach.
"Not nerve-wracking," Okung said. "I'm just excited. Can't wait for my name to be called. Whatever happens, happens."
— John E. Hoover
Written by
John E. Hoover
Sports Columnist
