BEREA, Ohio -- After two days of lessons, lectures and breakout sessions, the AFC rookies got out Friday morning to sweat a little bit.
And sweat, and sweat, and sweat.
Blistering temperatures greeted the second of two youth football camps held in conjunction with the NFL Rookie Symposium. Three days after the NFC rookies worked with kids from rec centers and Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Northeast Ohio, Friday's clinic with the AFC rookies was for Northeast Ohio children with military parents.
Participants in the camp spent the morning running football drills with the AFC rookies, then got to eat lunch and spend some time with some of the NFL's youngest stars.
"I think we're having more fun than the kids," Bengals first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick said. "We've been doing a lot in the classroom (during the symposium), a lot of listening. This gives us a chance to get free.
"Everybody's smiling."
The NFL divided the symposium into two parts this year for the first time and moved it to Northeast Ohio. The players have stayed in Aurora, southeast of Cleveland, and the symposium closes Saturday when the AFC rookies visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
The only on-field activity was the football camp, which was held on the practice fields of the Cleveland Browns. Parents -- many in fatigues -- lined the fields to get pictures of their children interacting with the rookies.
"These kids being here today, and a lot of their parents coming out to watch, that's special," Steelers player development director Ray Jackson said. "This means a lot to these kids to see these players, get to talk to them, interact with them and eat lunch with them. It's something these kids will never forget.
"I told our (Steelers) players they better bring some energy and coach them up. It's not about us. It's about helping somebody else."
LASTING LESSONS: The NFL brought in dozens of current and former players to speak at various points during the symposium. The consensus is that none delivered a more powerful message than Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, who spoke to both sessions and spoke freely of his past bad decisions.
Michael Vick was among the players who spoke to the NFC group, and Terrell Owens joined Jones on Thursday in sharing some of his stories.
"I guarantee (Jones) touched a lot of guys' lives," Jackson said. "I commend him and Terrell for wanting to come out and volunteer their time and trying to help these young guys avoid some big trouble."
Kirkpatrick, who's gotten to know Jones over the last month-plus in Cincinnati, said he has a new level of respect for Jones after hearing him speak.
"I've always had respect for him, but it takes a big man to step up and speak about his past," Kirkpatrick said. "This (symposium) has been a game-changer. I'm happy I came. Just in these last three days I've changed some things I thought I would do.
"This is the NFL, which can mean 'Not For Long.' We have to manage it and make it last."
Jackson said he commends the NFL for making sure the rookies appreciate "the heritage and the culture of the league. The NFL is a special fraternity. Not too many people can say they played in this league and for these young kids to see this, see how special it is and get a grasp of the opportunities in front of them, it's really important."
Said Steelers' second-round pick Mike Adams of Ohio State: "It's been a great few days. We've learned some lessons and heard from a lot of guys who have played in this league for a long time. There's a lot of valuable information we can all take with us going forward."
ONE LAST STOP: The Hall of Fame visit, which played a big role in the NFL moving the symposium to Northeast Ohio, will serve as a grand finale of sorts on Saturday.
Kirkpatrick said he's been counting the minutes.
"You know who I'm ready to see -- Deion Sanders," Kirkpatrick said. "I'm ready to see his statue and take a picture with it, if they let me. It's going to be a great experience."
