Celebrate the 10th annual Myles Brinson-JR Adams Fundamentals of
Football Camp July 11-15.
The sorrow of losing a child never goes away.
In 2002, Marlowe and Sherida Brinson’s 8-year-old son, Myles, died, losing a battle with leukemia. K.C. Adams’ son, JR, died in a hit-and-run accident in 2005.
Though it has become easier to cope over time, the feeling never vanishes, illustrated by the tears that welled up in K.C.’s eyes as he, Marlowe and Sherida sat circled around a table at Sue’s Coffee in downtown Gilroy on Thursday morning.
Marlowe and K.C., who refer to themselves as brothers, and their loved ones, bonded even closer in the midst of tragedy and made stronger though family, community support and, of course, football.
The two men, along with many volunteers, will celebrate the 10th annual Myles Brinson-JR Adams Fundamentals of Football Camp July 11-15.
The camp, which began as a way to honor Myles, organized a mere two months after his death, is run in memory of two kids who passed much earlier than either of their parents could have predicted.
K.C. assisted Marlowe in running the first three camps dedicated to Myles, but after JR’s tragic death, the name of the weeklong camp was changed.
“Nobody planned for it to be this way. We were just having a football camp,” Adams said.
The motivation for holding the camp will never change, however, campers who participate are in for some special treats for the 10th anniversary.
Marlowe hinted that there would be plenty of new drills, new inspirational speakers, a new logo on the camp shirts and a first-time raffle at the camp, of an iPad and other one-of-a-kind prizes. Sherida added that the shirts will have both Myles and JR’s picture together on them, different from what they have done in the past.
“We do this for our community,” Marlowe said.
And that is where the drive and passion to host the camp comes from – passing along their goodwill as examples, in hopes of spurring others in the community to pay it forward as well.
Marlowe said at the end of the day the camp is not just about football. He said it is about the life lessons and passing them down to the youth.
Every camper is given the utmost attention, as coaches often become an extra set of ears for their little pupils. Campers open up about their lives, seeking guidance or simply a listening ear.
“I’ve gotten questions that my mouth drops sometimes,” K.C. said. “Kids come out there and tell us things they wouldn’t tell their parents.”
After the drills and day of activity, the campers all meet again to listen to speakers, who are chosen to inspire the young campers and share a testimony or a life lesson. This year, former campers, who are now in college, some playing sports or just doing positive things with their lives, Marlowe said, will be some of the featured speakers.
“We’ve fed their mind, their spirit, and their soul. All in a couple hours of camp,” Sherida said as K.C. and Marlowe nod in agreement and as K.C. lets out a soft “amen”
Sign-ups will also be taken Saturday in front of Kuts and Colors Hair Salon on 7452 Monterey Street. Sherida will be doing the registration and selling raffle tickets for $5, which can be bought at the same time. Campers can pick up their shirts early on July 7 at the salon. The day will also serve as the kick-off event that will include music and an early look at the raffle prizes.
