Welcome to the Official 2009 Running Watters Pro Football Experience! It was important for me to hold this camp because football can be a very dangerous sport if you are not taught proper techniques and not properly educated about the game. I am proud to bring together this team of standout professionals whom I trust to give you the best coaching possible. I’ve been playing football since I was 6 years old in concrete parking lots, asphalt streets and anywhere else that had enough room. I played with older kids so I was always the smallest, slowest, and skinniest. In fact, my nickname was Skinny Rick. But, I believed in myself and believed if I worked hard enough at improving my game by running faster, catching better and becoming tougher, I could one day live out my dream of being a star running back in the NFL. I looked up to players like Walter Payton, Tony Dorsett and Eric Dickerson. I learned that it took them much more than talent to make it to the highest level of success. They had to exhibit mental toughness and physical toughness to achieve greatness. If each player on a team is determined enough to put in the hard work to be the best player they can be, then that team has the chance to go the distance. One player can’t win a championship. It takes each player working together to reach that common goal. When I played for Notre Dame, our team motto was “Play Like A Champion Today”. That stuck with me throughout my career. I played my heart out every practice and every game. When you play hard in practice it becomes automatic in the game. Practice does make perfect! And just remember, not all of you share the same talents. Some of you will run faster, catch bettter, or have more tackles. The best thing is that football uses the strengths of each player. That is why football is one of the greatest sports in the world. I hope you enjoy yourselves today and I know you will all leave with a greater understanding of the game and a greater awareness of your full potential. And remember... the most important thing is to have fun out there. Play for the love of the game!