IRVING, Texas (AP) -Like many NFL players, Terrell Owens is running a football camp for kids this summer.
Others, however, don't have the caliber of counselors Owens is bringing in.
Want to run faster? Former 100-meter world record-holder Maurice Greene will teach that.
Need life skills? Michael Irvin is expected to offer advice on how to avoid the mistakes he made; perhaps Adam ``Pacman'' Jones, too.
How about some tips on scoring touchdowns and celebrating them? T.O. will gladly handle those topics himself.
``It's going to be a fun time,'' Owens said. ``And an educational time for them, as well.''
This will be the third year Owens runs a camp in the Dallas area, but the first time he's tapped into his address book for celebrity sizzle.
Considering he just signed a $34 million contract extension with the Cowboys, Owens certainly isn't doing it for the money - $195 per child age 7 to 17, for the two-day event, July 9-10.
Owens said he's simply doing it to become more active in the community.
``It's just something that goes hand-in-hand with my solidifying where I'll be the next four years,'' Owens said recently in an interview with The Associated Press. ``It's really just me giving back, part of what I'm supposed to do. ... I just feel like it's part of my duty. It goes with the Scripture - to whom much is given, much is required.''
When Owens moved to Dallas in 2006, many fans still despised him for anti-Cowboys antics while playing for San Francisco and Philadelphia. Although he was productive that first season, his stats were overshadowed by an accidental overdose and squabbles with the coaching staff, leaving some folks still leery about him going into 2007.
Owens responded with a record-setting season filled with praise for his positive approach. Team owner Jerry Jones reciprocated with the new contract, tying Owens to the team, and the area, through 2011.
``I just feel like I'm in a place where I can devote my time and give more myself,'' Owens said.
When players host camps, they often invite teammates and other friends. There's usually a trade-off - you come to my camp, I'll come to yours. Owens has extended that open invitation to lots of people, which is why his guest list won't be settled until that first morning at Duncanville High School.
Greene, meanwhile, said he's definitely coming.
``For him? Yeah, of course,'' Greene said. ``I'm happy to help.''
The pair got to know each other through mutual friends. Now that Greene has given up on trying to make it to a third straight Olympics, he's breaking into coaching. He said he already holds a speed camp for high school football players on weekends in California.
``All sports are turning to one thing - speed,'' Greene said. ``Running fast is all about the technique of how to do it. I have to look at the kids, see what they're doing wrong.''
Irvin knows about doing wrong, too, using his own life as a lesson in ``do as I say, not as I did.'' Hearing the same message from Pacman would be interesting, considering he's still trying to prove that he has straightened out his life and can keep it that way.
``I'm sure those two can be very enlightening to kids who've had a troubled upbringing,'' Owens said. ``(Their stories) show you that you can be successful, even though you make mistakes. It's more powerful when you can hear it from a guy like Michael Irvin.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
