There's always a little voice that players hear when obstacles get in the way of the ultimate dream.

"Hang on..."

At times, they don't know where it comes from, but it continues...

"Hang on ...no matter what...keep going."

After being plagued with injuries during his tenure at USC, Terrell Thomas remained faithful to that little voice. He listened to it on a daily basis, and it eventually paid off, earning him a spot on the New York Giants.

"I never gave up," said Thomas who was drafted in the second round in 2001. "My journey wasn't easy as I had three major surgeries. When coaches wrote me off, I stayed determined and always kept believing."

This positive ideology kept Thomas focused throughout his collegiate and professional career, which allowed him to continually improve every season. In the three years in the NFL, Thomas earned a combined total of 231 tackles, 190 of which were solo.

This self-assurance and confidence stems from one of the biggest influences in his life. According to Thomas, his mother has been a constant source of support and encouragement. One of his proudest NFL moments happened to be his first start against Arizona his rookie year, where his entire family, including mom, was there to cheer him on.

"My mom made me play when I didn't want to," said Thomas who also listed Terrell Davis and Emmitt Smith as his football idols. "[She] also sent me to football camps in [high school] to develop my talent."

Now, Thomas returns the favor and hopes to instill that same inspiration, confidence, and strength in young players aspiring to become better athletes, make varsity, or perhaps even earn scholarships to a four-year university.

Thomas feels that participating in football camps affords young players an opportunity to meet professional athletes and gain valuable knowledge and experience from seasoned players. The interaction, training sessions, and positive feedback between coaches, NFL players, and participants prove valuable for athletes trying to reach the next level. Thomas offers these experiences in his summer Football Camp at William Paterson University, which is held July 6^th -9^th in Wayne, NJ.

"It gives kids the opportunity to meet a professional athlete and it also tells them that hey, if I made it, so can you," said Thomas, who started playing at age seven. "And that goes for whatever you desire in life."

Thomas feels that one of the primary reasons why players keep coming back to Sports International Football Camps is the positive interaction and level of fun that kids experience. With in-depth instruction, lectures, and personal training on both offense and defense, participants gain valuable experiences that can be implemented in all aspects of their lives. It helps players stay in shape during the off-season and strengthens the "little voice" in every player.

Article by Anel Laj