The 49ers Player of the Week is an individual that shines both on and off the football field. The Player of the Week is someone that stands out for their superior performance on the field while also serving as an example to his teammates, competitors and classmates in the classroom and in the community. This player demonstrates what it means to be a true leader, and exemplifies the importance of team work. *
Our Camp for the Stars athletes are the epitome of what the Player of the Week should embody. The passion, courage, and determination each and every one of these athletes display when they take the field during camp is unmatched. But it doesn't end there. The support the athletes show for one another over the course of the weekend is exactly what teammates should do day in and day out. As we kickoff the 2015 Player of the Week program, we would like to award all of our athletes from The Football Camp for the Stars as our first winners of Player of the Week, as they set the standard of a worthy and deserving candidate.
The Football Camp for the Stars is an authentic football camp for athletes with Down syndrome. The two-day camp gives young men with Down syndrome the opportunity to play the game they love. Over the course of the two-day camp, the athletes go through a variety of drills led by 49ers players, coaches and front office staff, high school coaches, NFL alumni and college coaches. The young men are also paired up with varsity football players from Valley Christian High School who work with them throughout the camp. The bond the partners develop over the course of the camp is two-fold. The young men with Down syndrome look to their buddies for support, feedback, and encouragement, while the high school players gain valuable leadership experience and act as mentors to the athletes.
After a great day of drills and practice on Friday, the camp concludes Saturday with a final scrimmage.
"It's the biggest game in California," explains former 49ers Head coach and current NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci.
All of their hard work comes down to the big game called by official NFL referees. The competitive athletes work hard all weekend long and leave everything on the field come Saturday afternoon. The hard work and 'never give up' attitude they exhibit they bring to everything they do is a true testament to the work ethic and competitive nature of the young men. They represent themselves like true professionals, with integrity and great sportsmanship. These young men represent everything it means to be a 49ers Player of the Week, earning them the Week 1 spot.
The Football Camp for the Stars will receive a $500 grant for their program as The San Francisco 49ers Players of the Week. The team will be invited to a 49ers home game and be recognized on the field. They will also be featured in the Game Day Magazine. At the end of the season, The Football Camp for the Stars will be invited to the 49ers SAP Performance Facility to receive their award from Coach Tomsula.
Congratulations to the young men from The Football Camp for the Stars. You set the standard for what it means to be the San Francisco 49ers Player of the Week.
