FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 14, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: KIRA CALM LEWIS 301-446-3327; Kira.CalmLewis@pgparks.com – or –
VERONICA MARSHALL 301-446-3313; Veronica.Marshall@pgparks.com
Santana Moss Talks Life, Sports, and Success
with Department of Parks and Recreation Campers
Riverdale, MD – Dozens of Department of Department of Parks and Recreation campers gave their all at FedEx Field Thursday morning. The campers scrambled, dodged, and yes – caught and threw footballs – after words of advice and encouragement from Washington Redskins alumnus Santana Moss and the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Director Ronnie Gathers.
The football clinic was possible thanks to a partnership between The Department of Parks and Recreation, Comcast, and the Washington Redskins. “It’s through partnerships that you’re able to speak to people who’ve done some pretty significant things in our society,” said Director Gathers. “We’re able to provide these opportunities throughout Prince George’s County – whether it’s sports, whether it’s arts, whether it’s swimming, you name it – and we can provide those opportunities.”
The football clinic, created to remind the kids to stay fit and active, allowed the Track and Field campers to learn directly from the sports legend – who said his success on the football field was due in part to the work he put in on his high school track team. “For all of you track athletes – keep it up. It’s a sport that I think a lot about and I think it gave me everything that I’ve got,” said Santana Moss, former Redskins wide receiver.
“Track is one of those sports that as a team, we rack up points – but we’ve got to go out there individually and do what we do. It’s all on me. If you’re a 100 yard sprinter or a 200 yard sprinter or that quarter horse, it’s on you to get those points,” said Moss. Moss said running track taught him how to focus on his individual performance as a way to help his team win – a mentality that carried over into his football career. “I knew individually I had to give my all for my team to have a chance to win.”
Moss also coached the aspiring athletes in other ways to prepare themselves for success – on and off the field. “Even when there was some of my darkest moments as a player and as an individual in life dealing with the things we deal with – never quit. Don’t even let quit be in your vocabulary. We’re going to erase that out of your vocabulary today. So never think about quitting,” he said. After the question and answer session with Moss, and a tour of the professional locker room, the campers took to FedEx Field – rotating through different football drills.
The clinic was just one way in which the Department of Parks and Recreation provides excellent public service to the Prince George’s community. The event highlighted several of the Department’s missives – including its commitment to creating and maintaining cooperative partnerships within the community, and its focus on enriching the quality of life for present and future generations. And that’s just how Director Ronnie Gathers wants it. Speaking to the campers, he said, “I want you to take note of everything you learned here today, but most of all, I’d like to say to you – when you leave here, think about dreaming big!”
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is celebrating 90 years of excellence, since 1927. The Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County.
For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Instagram. The M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services.
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