Brando19
07-18-2007, 06:15 PM
Former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Gilbert Brown knows that the battles in the trenches often don't compare to the violence that many Milwaukee youths see on the streets. That's why Brown, 36, continues to give back to central-city youths. He's playing host to a free youth football camp at the former North Division High School, 1011 W. Center St., which runs through Thursday. The camp, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. rain or shine, allows Brown to share football skills with aspiring athletes and encourage them to reach their goals. In between barking out sit-up orders to more than 80 youths Tuesday, Brown took five with Journal Sentinel night city editor James E. Causey about youth violence and his predictions for the Green and Gold this season.
Q.Why did you want to organize a football camp in the heart of the central city?
A. Basically, I wanted to work from the inside out and try to feed their bodies with something positive. . . . I read about all the crime that was taking place in Milwaukee, especially with the young people, and I knew that I had to do something.
Q.What is the talent level of the youth so far?
A. It's pretty good. I brought up some kids from Detroit to see how well they matched up. So they can see the difference in playing styles and techniques. But we're not only teaching them football skills, we're teaching them leadership and discipline.
Q.Speaking of discipline, the NFL has cracked down hard on troubled players. Is that a good thing?
A. The NFL needed to do something because today's player is different. Some are there just to collect a check, and they have no respect for the game. If you don't enforce stiffer rules, then they'll start doing whatever they want.
Q.Playing nose tackle, you relied a lot on your size, but you look a lot slimmer. Can you still play?
A. I've been after Ted Thompson to take a look at me. I'm around 335 and working out.
Q. A lot has been made about the Packers not surrounding Favre with enough offensive firepower. What are your thoughts?
A. The Packers are going to have a really strong defense this year, from the linebackers to the line to the DBs. It's been said that defenses win Super Bowls. Don't get me wrong, the offense has to score, but this is (Ted) Thompson's team and we have to trust him.
Q.Why did you want to organize a football camp in the heart of the central city?
A. Basically, I wanted to work from the inside out and try to feed their bodies with something positive. . . . I read about all the crime that was taking place in Milwaukee, especially with the young people, and I knew that I had to do something.
Q.What is the talent level of the youth so far?
A. It's pretty good. I brought up some kids from Detroit to see how well they matched up. So they can see the difference in playing styles and techniques. But we're not only teaching them football skills, we're teaching them leadership and discipline.
Q.Speaking of discipline, the NFL has cracked down hard on troubled players. Is that a good thing?
A. The NFL needed to do something because today's player is different. Some are there just to collect a check, and they have no respect for the game. If you don't enforce stiffer rules, then they'll start doing whatever they want.
Q.Playing nose tackle, you relied a lot on your size, but you look a lot slimmer. Can you still play?
A. I've been after Ted Thompson to take a look at me. I'm around 335 and working out.
Q. A lot has been made about the Packers not surrounding Favre with enough offensive firepower. What are your thoughts?
A. The Packers are going to have a really strong defense this year, from the linebackers to the line to the DBs. It's been said that defenses win Super Bowls. Don't get me wrong, the offense has to score, but this is (Ted) Thompson's team and we have to trust him.