Chiefs' Berry gives back to young players

Dion Clisso/PrepsKC

By Dion Clisso PrepsKC Managing Editor
Posted: May 24, 2012 - 8:20 AM



When an NFL player loses an entire season to injury the main goal is to do whatever it takes to get back on the field for the next season.
For some that means focusing all of their time on getting back. For Chiefs safety Eric Berry the focus is on getting back but also giving back to the sport that he loves.
Berry recently took time out of his preparation for the upcoming season to hold a camp at Lee’s Summit High School for aspiring football players of all ages. The camp was focused on ways to improve speed and more than 60 football players got instruction from Berry, a few fellow Chiefs and even Berry’s father.
The players worked through individual footwork and skill drills all designed to help them play the game in a faster more efficient manner.
Berry said having this camp his chance to give the players an opportunity he didn’t have when he was their age.
“It’s very exciting,” Berry said. “The guys came out here on a Saturday and they are having a great time. They have a lot of energy out here and I am feeding off of them. It’s always good to get out here and have fun with the kids, have a good time and those guys are very enthusiastic about the situation.
“When I was younger there weren’t too many camps like this. That is something I always wanted to do was have camps where kids could come and have fun and learn some of the basics.”
While there were many stations and drills Berry said the theme was to be consistent on every play and finish with every skill taught.
“For the most part I just want the guys to finish,” Berry said. “That is the biggest thing we preach out here is finishing through the drills. Then we try to teach them the basic techniques of footwork and just getting in good position. For the most part I just want the guys to learn how to just work and finish what they start.”
The day was a mix of fun and work and the athletes who attended got a chance to learn from a pro in a relaxed setting.
For Lee’s Summit senior Ian Burch this event helped to start off a summer getting ready for his final season as a Tiger.
“It’s great to be out here,” Burch said. “The Chiefs came in and they are really working with our footwork. I love that there are all age groups here. We’ve been getting some good reps in and good work in and we are learning from the best Eric Berry.”