Live Oak — An NFL-sponsored football camp recently came to Jasper thanks to one local hero. Hamilton County High graduate Alex Brown, who spent eight successful years with the Chicago Bears and will begin this year’s football season with the New Orleans Saints, was responsible for bringing the football camp to his hometown.   
The camp began bright and early on the morning of Friday, July 3.  By 8:30, roughly 100 aspiring football players had registered. An hour later, that number had grown to 150.  The camp was organized into four areas of concentration and the groups set up by age, rotated through each of them. Skill groups were headed by John Paul, Tyron White, Jason Brown, Coach Drayton, Coach Hall, Coach Pittman along with varsity football players, as well as Brown’s wife, children, siblings, parents and other relatives on hand to assist. 
It was hard work, plenty of sweat and heat but everything was executed with precision, said Hamilton High School Guidance Counselor Paula Williams. 40 yard dash races were held to compete for Nike shirts Brown provided.  The competition was fierce, but exciting.  Alex moved throughout the groups all day, sharing his expertise and modeling plays and throws, and giving plenty of positive feedback. 
The participants were provided with Gatorade and water breaks to keep them working hard.  The energy was high and these young people remained actively engaged all day.  It was awesome to see so much interest while planting the seed early, said Williams.  Brown encouraged them to push hard because that is what it takes to be the best.  Around noon the campers were assembled in a group where Alex shared many of his experiences on the road to the NFL.  Succeeding at football became one of his goals early in life and he was serious about it.

"The most important factor in my life was having parents who took no mess,” he said. “They did not play and they demanded the best from their sons.  They required us to study, be respectful and obedient. No exceptions!"  

Brown went on to encourage the young people to start thinking about college right now and start gaining experiences with the ACT and SAT and any other programs that can help educational growth.  He reminded them that if he was able to do it, surely some of them could.  Brown talked about his relationship with his brother and family and how they too encouraged him to push hard to be the best. His dad was a grueling task master and he always pushed Alex and his brothers to do more than what was required.   “It is cool to be a football or other ball star and a school grades star.  Study hard, make the honor roll, set some real goals and work like crazy to achieve them.  This is how you become a success," he said.  
A filling lunch was provided and enjoyed by campers before moving inside the gym for camp recognition and the distribution of Alex Brown Camp t-shirts. They were also provided for every camper, their families and all community persons who came out to be a part of the experience.  A special thanks was extended to football mothers and friends for serving as hostesses and serving the food along with Chester Bristol and others in charge of cooking the meat.  Also thanks went out to the coaches, organizers and every single person who helped with the success of this camp in any way. 
Later in the evening was the Alex Brown Banquet help at the Civic Center. After a delicious barbeque dinner with all the trimmings, Former Madison County High graduate and Dallas Cowboy, Jessie Solomon spoke to the group. He talked about the importance of vision and expounded on the following: 
driven, desire, determination, dedication and discipline.  He gave many points that will lead to success not only in the game of football but in the game of life.  After Brown thanked his NFL friends for sharing in the first Alex Brown Camp in Hamilton County, he began the free drawings for footballs, autographed photos and shirts. 
Williams thanked Alex on behalf of the school and community for providing such an awesome experience for the children and citizens of Hamilton County.  The participants were asked to remember everything they heard throughout the day, and to put it to good use during the summer and when they return to school in the fall.  The group gave Brown a thunderous applause. 
Festivities continued on Saturday in conjunction with the 4th of July events sponsored by the Hamilton County Recreational Department.  Many enjoyed the Brown luncheon and celebrity softball game. 
Williams said the community is looking forward to the 2011 Alex Brown Football Camp and wish Alex and the Saints a great season. 
Alex Brown is the son of James and Essie Brown of Bellville.