The Sunshine Kids experience Texans training camp

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Here's a different kind of Houston Texans training camp. It involves very young free agents trying their chance at the NFL, in a play-like atmosphere, of course.

"It's smiles all around, and you can't ask for better than that," says an enthusiastic Christian Covington from the Houston, Texans.  The Defensive Tackle is tackling a different kind of opponent, in the form of childhood cancer.  He teamed-up with the Sunshine Kids Foundation to add a ray of light to these children fighting disease, and their siblings, too.  While some little free agents had to take a break to rest, others, like 17-year old Ulysess, were in awe of it all.  He's a "former" football player, who has fought cancer three times.  "I was hoping the first time around - I could get back to football, unfortunately, I can't get in shape in time.  I'm already a Junior in high school, so I'm retired.  Hanging out with football players makes me feel like I'm playing again!  It gets my mind off of everything and just focus on football - it's really good," exclaims Ulysses Segovia.         

16 year old Tyrese Blackwell sure is thankful for the Sunshine Kids.  He's made a lot of friends through the group.  "I'm not alone in this battle - we have each other's backs.  We can cry on each other's shoulder, just tell each other's story and wow - look how much you and I have gone through and where we are now," says Tyrese.         

Our FOX26 camera captured my own proud "Mom Moment".  My eight year old son, Caleb, is a proud "Sunshine "Kid" and has been since he was diagnosed with leukemia in Kindergarten.  We even gave the agility ladder drills a try.  We see who has the quick feet, and it wasn't necessarily me!         

Emily Turner sure "gets" what this organization is all about.  She volunteers now, and loves to see children having fun like this.  She has benefitted from the group, since she was diagnosed with cancer at 11.  "I live in the power of positivity - especially for kids - putting fun things in their life that they don't have, letting them smile and hang out and let kids understand them," says volunteer, Emily Turner.        

This was the first Texans Training Camp the Sunshine Kids have ever held, it was such a success, they sure hope to do it again!        

For more info, sunshinekids.org.