Brees: Finish Strong

LAFAYETTE, Ind (WLFI) - 'Finish strong' is the message Drew Brees gave youngsters in the Purdue Athletes Life Success Program.

The New Orleans' Saints Quarterback spoke to children at Rankin Field Tuesday morning. The former Boilermaker All-America quarterback told the children they can learn a lot from playing sports, including teamwork and discipline. "Even as disappointing and frustrating losing can be, you still say, 'good game' when its over," said Brees. "Playing sports right now is about having fun. As you grow, these are lessons you need to be successful in life."

The campers remembered what the former Purdue QB told them. "You need to have good sportsmanship," said camper Tony Medrano. "Be strong if you win or lose, and tell everyone, whether you win or lose, it was a good game."

Karen Amaizl remembered Brees' message about playing fair and respecting one another. "Don't cheat and be a good sport," said Amaizl. "And, don't be a ball hog."

Team leader Kelsey Peterson said Brees' message fits nicely with the camp's goals in building character. "Our pillars of character that we try to teach them are respect, responsiblity, trustworthiness, and caring," said Peterson. "We set goals every week. And it is little things, like holding the door open for someone or helping someone else on the computer if they don't understand what to do. It's just the little things we try to teach them that hopefully they will use outside of camp, during the school year."

Four of the PALS campers won bikes. Once they got their picture taken with Brees, the winners gave him a run for his money.  Brees raced a couple of the children down the track.

More than 400 youngsters are attending the month-long program, which is free for those selected based on referrals from local schools. Last year more than 350 children attended, and this year's program has a waiting list.

PALS, formerly the National Youth Sports Program, changed its name last summer, thanks to support from the Brees Dream Foundation and Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union.