2/11/2014: By: Gary Barnidge – Tight End, Cleveland Browns, Founder AFWB 
You know what is just as awesome as scoring an NFL touchdown?…
- Launching football camps in Brazil
- Delivering shoes to orphans
- Having an opportunity to learn from and give to the children of Brazil
This week we are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch our American Football Without Barriers Camps (AFWB – www.afwbcamp.com ) in Brazil. I cannot think of a better place to share this program. Brazil is need of a positive outlet like American football with over 20 million children living in poverty. I also cannot think of a better team to serve as role models for the Brazilian children. Joining me this week are:
My Cleveland Browns teammates:
- Alex Mack
- Jordan Cameron
- Johnson Bademosi
- Berkevious Mingo
Super Bowl Champions – Seattle Seahawks:
- Breno Giacomini
- Marshawn Lynch
- Golden Tate
- Russell Okung
- Sidney Rice
- Cooper Helfret
Former Teammates:
- Thomas Keiser (San Diego Chargers)
- Deangelo Williams (Carolina Panthers)
- Brian Brohm (CFL – Hamilton Tiger Cats)
- Scott Kuhn (Louisville Cardinals)
Brazilian Native:
- Maikon Bonani
As many of you know, I started American Football Without Barriers Camps (AFWB – www.afwbcamp.com ) with two of my friends – Breno Giacomini and Ahmed Awadallah. We launched the camps in an effort to help spread American football to different corners of the world with a humanitarian focus.
After our visit to China last year we are excited to expand our growth to Brazil. Here is our line up for the week:
On Thursday, February 13th, we arrive in Rio De Jaineiro via Copa Airlines from Miami. Shout out to Copa Airlines (www.copaair.com) ! They have been great to work with and helped arrange travel for the majority of our team which has not been an easy task considering we are spread out all across the United States.
On Friday, February 14th, we will be visiting Pequena Cruzada (www.pequenacruzada.org.br ), one of Rio De Janeiro’s largest orphanages, where we have partnered with Samaritan’s Feet (www.samaritansfeet.org) to provide shoes to the children. Many of you might recognize Samaritan’s Feet, as they are the charity I help promote when I take off my game-worn cleats and give them to a child from a local Cleveland orphanage.
Also, our friends at Bella Tunno (www.bellatunno.com) will be helping provide children’s accessories like bibs and burp cloths that we will donate on our orphanage visit.
The following days, we will host a multi-day free football camp for the Brazilian kids. It will be an exciting time as we get to help the kids with their football skills and provide an autograph session.
This week is not about making touchdowns but about touching hearts. Follow us as we bring football and philanthropy together in Brazil. During the week, players will be sharing their experiences from Brazil. Follow our blog to learn with us. Be sure to follow us on twitter @afwbcamps and on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/afwb11 for the latest information and pictures.
It’s going to be an awesome week!
Here goes…
Gary.
Tags: AFWB, Cleveland Browns, Gary Barnidge, NFL
