Bonham -- Four former NFL players were in Bonham Saturday, July 20 to offer valuable insight to 55 young athletes attending the first annual Texoma Youth Football mini camp.  While most attendees were from the Bonham area, future gridiron stars from Melissa, McKinney, Sadler and Paris took advantage of this opportunity to get pointer from the pros. In addition, one young man from Gruver, Texas participated and another young athlete from the Killeen, Texas area traveled to Bonham to attend the mini camp.

Former NFL players leading the drills included Byron Williams (New York Giants), Roosevelt Collins (Dallas Cowboys), Cliff Odom (Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins) and Alfred Anderson (Minnesota Vikings).

The camp came about after a chance meeting of Williams and Bonham resident Todd Orsak, who played for the TCU Horned Frogs along with Collins.  Plans call for proceeds from the annual camp to go to a charitable trust which can promote athletic endeavors throughout the community.

Young athletes learned techniques, training, discipline and teamwork, but also respect and humility.

"Anybody out here can get beat on any play," says Williams with the experience of 13 years of pro ball backing up every word.

Byron Williams talks to the 55 young athletes attending the inaugural Texoma Youth Football mini camp.

There was also advice about making good decisions and picking friends who will reinforce those good decisions.

"You want someone who pats you on the shoulder and says, 'Let's go work out.' You have to challenge yourself to get in the weight room, get on the track - do the things that will make you better," Williams told the campers aged 7-17.

Greg Moses gets behind the defense for a touchdown grab.

Williams is originally from Texarkana and he has held a football mini camp in his hometown for 19 consecutive years.

"Mainly, we want to plant a seed this year in Bonham," says Williams. "I have a passion for working with kids to develop leadership on and off the football field."

Williams also stressed developing proper priorities.

"When you hear the phrase 'student athlete', there is a reason the word student comes first," Williams said.  "What you do off the football field is often more important than anything you will ever do on the football field."  

A young receiver reaches for a pass with former Dallas Cowboy linebacker Roosevelt Collins in hot pursuit.

additional photos in Sports section