Garth Brooks Trades Stage For Field At Pro Camp With Steelers
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Garth Brooks took some time in between shows this weekend to toss the football around.
He hosted his "Teammates For Kids" pro camp at the Steelers practice facility on the South Side Saturday.
About 100 kids from the Boys and Girls Club got a chance to run drills with Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Keisel.
"This is the greatest accomplishment I've ever gotten to be a part of," said Brooks. "And you truly are a teammate. It doesn't matter if you're me, it doesn't matter if you're the athletes, it doesn't matter if you're Mrs. Yearwood. You're a teammate."
He's one of the most successful county performers of all-time, but he's not afraid to say how much this camp means to him.
"This might upset some people, but the most important thing I will do this weekend is right here," Brooks said.
Brooks invited some real Steelers to help, including a recently shaved Brett Keisel.
"Dreaming of maybe playing in the big stage someday and you run down and Ben's throwing you that ball and you're like man, this is the greatest ever," said Brett Keisel. "It's incredible that he does this for kids."
Ben Roethlisberger was also there and spent the afternoon throwing passes to the kids.
Brooks' wife, Trisha Yearwood, knows the good these pro camps do for kids.
"I think for these kids, it teaches you a sense of community. It teaches you a sense of responsibility, how to be a team, how to get along with others and it may be the thing that sparks some kid to pursue it to another level, so it's the most important thing," she said.
While this event focused on football skills, it was a Pittsburgh baseball star who really touched Brooks.
"Roberto Clemente was a huge, huge influence for me. That's why I do charity work today because of Roberto Clemente. Those guys kind of show you the way and light and what to do if you are ever lucky enough to get in this chance to be side by side with these celebrities doing something good for kids," Brooks said.
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