From NBC Chicago: Rain pouring from the skies and an early wake-up call didn’t quell the enthusiasm of a room full of 150 high-school football players gathered at Hales Franciscan High School on Saturday. Though football season is months away, they were there to practice the game they loved and get inspired by Chicago Bears Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs.

In his third year offering the free camp to Chicago high schoolers, Briggs said he wanted to make a camp available to kids regardless of their backgrounds.

“It’s giving back to football, and giving kids that art that we have mastered. Chicago is a very important place to me. It’s been home for the last 10 years, and seeing the kids from the south side. It teaches you basic fundamentals, and we run through skill drills and give them a chance to compete. We emphasize that it’s free. For a lot of these kids might not be able to afford some of those expensive football camps. They can get the same type of teaching for a very affordable price,” Briggs told NBC Chicago.

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