Post by TheShadow on Jul 31, 2008 4:43:26 GMT -5
www.sacbee.com
By Bill Paterson
When he was a young training camp quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, Greg Roeszler found an immediate friend in David Humm.
"He kind of adopted me," Roeszler said of Humm, who earned two Super Bowl rings in his seven seasons as a backup quarterback for the Raiders. "He was so wonderful to me and always showed a lot of class and integrity."
So four years ago, when Roeszler decided to do a free football camp for inner-city high schools that couldn't afford popular paid team camps, he immediately thought of Humm.
The former Nebraska star was back home in Las Vegas, where Humm had been a prep legend at Bishop Gorman High School in the 1960s. In 1988, Humm was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease that eventually cost him the use of his legs.
To those like Roeszler who know him, Humm remains a positive and inspirational person despite his physical challenges.
"I told David we were going to do these camps and I knew his (wheel)chair didn't travel, so I asked if he'd write a letter to the kids that would read like he was there," Roeszler said.
Humm not only wrote the letter, he encouraged Roeszler to think bigger.
"He told me, 'Roz, this is more than about free camps, this is about community,' " Roeszler said.
From that first camp evolved the Playmakers concept of offering free camps that promote character and leadership to disadvantaged and at-risk kids in return for community service. Playmakers also now offers "character-based" seminars for coaches.
Roeszler, the Playmakers executive director and the new coach at Encina High School, his alma mater, said his organization wouldn't be where it is without Humm.
Through Humm's NFL contacts, Roeszler was able to secure items for a recent Playmakers fundraising dinner in Rancho Cordova that brought in more than $10,000. Another $3,000 was raised to help the Oak Park Junior Falcons youth football team purchase new helmets.
"He's helped me on a daily basis counseling and guiding what we're doing," Roeszler said. "He's a great friend."
By Bill Paterson
When he was a young training camp quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, Greg Roeszler found an immediate friend in David Humm.
"He kind of adopted me," Roeszler said of Humm, who earned two Super Bowl rings in his seven seasons as a backup quarterback for the Raiders. "He was so wonderful to me and always showed a lot of class and integrity."
So four years ago, when Roeszler decided to do a free football camp for inner-city high schools that couldn't afford popular paid team camps, he immediately thought of Humm.
The former Nebraska star was back home in Las Vegas, where Humm had been a prep legend at Bishop Gorman High School in the 1960s. In 1988, Humm was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease that eventually cost him the use of his legs.
To those like Roeszler who know him, Humm remains a positive and inspirational person despite his physical challenges.
"I told David we were going to do these camps and I knew his (wheel)chair didn't travel, so I asked if he'd write a letter to the kids that would read like he was there," Roeszler said.
Humm not only wrote the letter, he encouraged Roeszler to think bigger.
"He told me, 'Roz, this is more than about free camps, this is about community,' " Roeszler said.
From that first camp evolved the Playmakers concept of offering free camps that promote character and leadership to disadvantaged and at-risk kids in return for community service. Playmakers also now offers "character-based" seminars for coaches.
Roeszler, the Playmakers executive director and the new coach at Encina High School, his alma mater, said his organization wouldn't be where it is without Humm.
Through Humm's NFL contacts, Roeszler was able to secure items for a recent Playmakers fundraising dinner in Rancho Cordova that brought in more than $10,000. Another $3,000 was raised to help the Oak Park Junior Falcons youth football team purchase new helmets.
"He's helped me on a daily basis counseling and guiding what we're doing," Roeszler said. "He's a great friend."