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Bucs Make New Friends

Jun 23, 2009 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris ushered his players into their final pre-camp break last week, but not before stressing a few of the team's core beliefs during the last few days of offseason work.

Morris, in his first year at the helm, is building his program upon these central values, and not all of them are scripted in Xs and Os. The Buccaneers under Morris will be intertwined in the community, compassionate and positive and always looking to extend a hand to those who could use it.

As such, Morris personally reached out last week to two young men who are facing difficult circumstances, inviting them out to One Buccaneer Place to watch practice, meet the team and develop some much-needed smiles. On Tuesday, 11-year-old James Prosper, a Make-A-Wish recipient was welcomed into the Buccaneers' home; on Wednesday, he was followed by eight-year-old Justen Jones, a pediatric cancer patient.

James has both sickle cell disease and acute benis malphormation…plus an impressive spirit and a desire to one day play football himself. He and his family had met Morris at the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce Luncheon the previous Friday, where the coach invited them out to practice. The young Buccaneer fan quickly accepted that offer, and Morris couldn't have been more thrilled.

“When you get an opportunity to meet a special kid that’s fighting to play football, a guy with that type of spirit, it always fires you up,” he said, wearing his trademark smile. “James is a tough young kid.”

"I don’t know how much the players weigh, but one day I’m going to run them over."

Prosper arrived with his family, including little brother Jimmy, who was celebrating his 9th birthday. Both boys sang the praises of a certain running back, and when they caught sight of Cadillac Williams while taking a tour of One Buc Place, they were completely star-struck.

“It was awesome!” said Prosper of the chance encounter.

That wasn’t the last time the boys would interact with their favorite running back. At lunch, the family had one spot open at their table, and #24 decided to help himself to the seat. James and Jimmy could hardly contain their grins.

When practice began, Morris caught the group right as they were finishing their tour, grabbed the boys unexpectedly, and ushered them directly to the middle of the practice field, where some of their idols were warming up. Once there, James was introduced personally to such young Bucs as Josh Freeman, Geno Hayes and the always personable Adam Hayward. The family was made to feel as if it was home.

“I just really thank the coach and the players,” James’s mother, Twyla Davis, said. “It’s almost like we’re family!

Prosper hasn’t let his illness deter his determination to play football one day.

“I don’t know how much the players weigh, but one day I’m going to run them over,” he confidently proclaimed. He plans to work hard to try and play quarterback once he conquers his ailment.

“It means a lot to him,” said Davis of the visit. “Its pushing him to work harder to try to play.”

After practice concluded, James was able to get a football signed by a huge chunk of the roster, and he left One Buc Place with his wish quite thoroughly granted.

Justen is afflicted with pineoblastoma tumors and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Like James, he was given the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Bucs during practice. Morris met Justen at Lauren’s First and Goal Football Camp this past Sunday at USF, where the young boy was the guest of honor and the Bucs' coach was the keynote speaker.

“He presented Justen with a football, and they were able to meet and hang out,” said Jones’s mother, Renee Beckford. After Morris extended an invitation to practice, Beckford recalled with a smile that, “Justen accepted right on the spot!”

Justen and his family were given a tour of the facility and were able to watch that day's practice. Justen was eager to meet his favorite player…yes, Cadillac Williams, who had a busy few days with his adoring fans.

When practice wrapped, Coach Morris made a special announcement to the team about Justen watching practice, and as soon as the huddle was broken the entire Buccaneers’ roster came over to say hello to the young fan.

“It’s very exciting, he loves the Buccaneers, its his favorite football team,” Beckford said. “It’s something that he has always wanted to do. I’m very happy that Coach Morris extended the invitation.”

Coach Morris was all smiles as usual, having deeply touched the lives of two very special young men all in a matter of days.

“Anytime you get an opportunity to do that, its always a sweet thing,” Morris said.