Johnson, Ryans host “First and Ten Youth Football Mini-Camp”
By Yolande Lezine
Forward Times Staff Writer

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson and teammate DeMeco Ryans hosted the “First and Ten Youth Football Mini-Camp” for 250 Houston area kids at Butler Stadium.

Kids, ages 6-15 had a fun-filled day working out with NFL players from the Houston Texans in the hot, baking sun. Most of the kids in attendance were from area Boys and Girls Clubs and local area YMCA’s.

Johnson, Ryans and several of their Texans teammates came out to lend a hand with the camp. Walter Dunson, the CEO of Global Youth Sports Management and his team of coaches came out to help run the camp.

Johnson gave the campers words of inspiration at the beginning of the camp, then he and Ryans jogged one lap around the track with the kids before they split up in stations. Teammates Fred Bennett (Defensive Back), Dunta Robinson (Cornerback), and Morlon Greenwood (Linebacker) helped to run drills at various stations.

“These are some of the same drills that we run in practice that we’re teaching the kids,” linebacker Morlon Greenwood said. “I’m happy to see both Andre and DeMeco doing this. It just goes to show you what type of people they really are.”

Campers were paired against each other in teams according to their age groups. This created a fun way for the kids to work out.

“We all wanted to do something in the community this offseason,” Texans receiver Andre Johnson said.

“Instead of doing individual things , we just decided to come together and do one big event.”

Johnson and Ryans as well as several other Texans players are no strangers when it comes to doing things in the community. Last fall they came together to donate turkeys with all the trimmings for Thanksgiving. This project was done in conjunction with HEB.

Ryans, who will return to Alabama later this week to host a Celebrity Weekend in his hometown had a lot of fun watching the kids compete.

“There is a need for this and for players such as ourselves to come out and interact with the kids,”

Ryans said. “I personally did not have anything like this when I was growing up. I’m glad that we’re in position to make an impact on these young kids lives.”

Despite the typical Houston heat, the kids looked forward to the breaks for cool water, ice , and Gatorade. Smiles were on every kids face, but there were bigger ones on the big kids.

“To see 250 kids out here in this heat at this camp is great,” Johnson said. “Hopefully they will take the things that they learned and apply it to their workouts and focus on being more healthy.”

“I told them instead of playing video games, come outside and workout. Their health depends on it!”

Everett launches "Standing Tall Foundation"
By Yolande Lezine
Forward Times Staff Writer

Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett launched the "Standing Tall Foundation" by hosting a luncheon and a reception in Houston.

The luncheon was held at the Polo Signature Restaurant and the reception was, which was hosted by NBA stars Damon Jones(Cleveland Cavaliers) and Stephen Jackson(Golden State Warriors)was held at the Dominion Post Oak High Rise in the Galleria.

The Kevin Everett Foundation, a 501c(3) organization, was formed to provide immediate and long-term resources to individuals sustaining catastrophic spinal cord injuries.

Everett suffered a serious career-ending spinal cord injury during an NFL game last season. Every media outlet showed pictures of him lying motionless on the field, praying that the injury wasn't serious enough to end his life.

He was given less than a 10-percent chance of regaining full utilization of his physical capabilities, but with God's help and love from his family, he beat the odds.

"I pray everyday that things will get better," Everett said. "I'm still faced with challenges, for I know that things could have been a lot worse."

Everett knows that he's blessed. He's had to maintain his faith in both the good times and bad times. He is a walking miracle. He's living, breathing, but most importantly his injury has made him want to start a foundation so that he can help further the research in finding a cure for paralysis and to assist with the quality of living for others who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

The 26-year old Port Arthur native's life has changed.

He can't really write and his handshake is weak; but that doesn't stop him from trying. He has a big heart, and that heart allows him to keep going despite the obstacles and other things that may come his way.

Everett spoke briefly at his luncheon last Friday afternoon and talked about the road ahead and how blessed he is.

"This is the time of year when I'd be out there working hard and conditioning and preparing for the season," Everett stated. "However, now I'm preparing for my new life's work, which is to raise money for the Kevin Everett Foundation."

The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Dr. Andy Cappuccino, MD from the Buffalo Spine Surgery Center.

Fox 26 News Isiah Carey was the Master of Ceremonies.

Special guest include: Toronto Raptors guard T.J. Ford, Renee Jones-Lee, mother of NBA star Damon Jones(Cleveland Cavaliers), Tory Crawford-Chief of Sports Medicine for the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System; Chris Lloyd-Chief of Neuroscience for the Memorial Hermamn Healthcare System; Carl Josehart-Tirr Memorial Hermann, Norris Williams II, and Teodoro A. Castillo-Attending Physician with TIRR Memorial Hermann.

USA Basketball Announces Men’s Team
By Yolande Y. Lezine
Forward Times Staff Writer

USA Basketball announced it’s 12-member 2008 Men’s Senior National Basketball team , finalizing their roster for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games that will be held August 8-24th, in Beijing, China.

Named to the 2008 USA Basketball Senior National Team were: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), LeBron James(Cleveland Cavaliers), Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons), Michael Redd(Milwaukee Bucks), Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat), and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

Duke University head men’s basketball coach and Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski was named as the head coach of the team. His assistant coaches will be Jim Boeheim from Syracuse University, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

The twelve players selected have incredible talent and should represent the United States well; however, just like in the NBA they will face some of their teammates and colleagues who will be playing for their respective countries.

Of the 12 players selected, six were part of the 2006 USA Basketball Men’s World Championship Team, and eight of them were part of the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship that qualified for the U.S. for the 2008 Olympics.

Three players, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and LeBron James were members of both teams. Players on the 2006 USA Basketball Men’s World Championship Team include: Anthony, Chris Bosh, Howard, James, Chris Paul, and Dwayne Wade.

At age 35, Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd will be the veteran leader of the team. Kidd was a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team that finished 8-0 and captured the gold medal in Sydney, Australia. He has played on eight USA Basketball teams and has a record of 44-0 at senior level competitions.

The team will open its training camp on June 28th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The players will participate in a mini-training camp at Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV.

In other professional basketball news former Utah Jazz and NBA Hall of Famer, Karl Malone was recently selected into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

The Houston Comets got their first road victory against the Minnesota Lynx, capturing a 72-65 win in Minneapolis.

The Comets defense forced the Lynx to set a mark for fewest points in a quarter as Houston took a 17-6 first quarter lead.

Tina Thompson led the Comets with 18 points. Point guard Shannon Johnson added 16 and Maiga Ba scored 10.

Michelle Snow led the team in rebounds with nine.