NFL: Foster talks local youth, Texans offseason at Pearland camp

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster works with area youth during Arian Foster Football Procamp at Pearland High School, Saturday, May. 5. Houston Texans running back Arian Foster works with area youth during Arian Foster Football Procamp at Pearland High School, Saturday, May. 5. Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close NFL: Foster talks local youth, Texans offseason at Pearland camp 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

Arian Foster has a lot of thoughts circulating in his head these days, ranging from his new contract, to the NFL Draft, to a revamped Houston Texans offensive line, to the death of Junior Seau.

The all-pro running back for the Texans, though, doesn’t appear to need an escape from all those topics.

He was a composed figure, addressing all those issues Saturday, but it was The Old Spice Arian Foster Football ProCamp for more than 300 youngsters at Pearland Stadium (The Rig) that had Foster sporting an ear-to-ear grin.

“I’m extremely excited about this,” Foster said. “I feel very fortunate to be so well-received in this city. There’s so much support and it’s overwhelming. You see all the parents and all the kids having fun.

“I didn’t get a chance to go to any kind of camp as a kid. I grew up in a small town in Albuquerque, N.M., and there weren’t a lot of opportunities out there. We grew up on hard times.

“To be able to give this to 340 kids, to see the smile on their faces…they to get to meet an NFL player and get to play with some of the high school coaches around Houston…it’s a good feeling to be a part of it.”

Foster was elated to host his first camp ever in Pearland.

“We just liked the location,” he said. “We wanted to step outside the main city of Houston, show the outskirts of Houston a little bit of love. We’re going to do camps all around the city of Houston, and this is just the first location.”

Camp aside, Foster elaborated on recent current events, beginning with the NFL draft.

“I really didn’t watch the draft too much,” he said. “You never know what you’re going to get, and plus when you bring somebody in, that means somebody has to go.

“That’s always tough to see teammates that you play with for a couple of years that go. It’s a business and you have to get used to it. But I’m excited for them (draftees). It’s a big day for them and their families, and we’ll see how they pan out.”

On Houston’s new-look offensive line:

“It’s tough because you had a core of guys that you’ve kinda grown with. You see more guys come and go. Sooner or later, it will be your time to go, and that’s the nature of the business, and you just have to get used to it.”

On the departure of Jacoby Jones:

“Jacoby was one of my better friends on the team. He was like one of my brothers on the team. It hurts to see him go, but he’s going to have another opportunity in this league without a doubt. He’s a very talented player.

“Both sides felt like they needed to split ways, and that’s OK. I’ll miss him. I know his mother and family very well. It hurts to see him go, but we have to move on.”

On his approach to the upcoming season with a new contract:

“It’s not too much different. You get a couple of little jokes from the guys here and there. But my expectations are the same and haven’t changed. My work ethic hasn’t changed and my approach to the game hasn’t changed. I’ve never really played the game for money, per se.

“I play for the name on the back of my jersey and the logo on my helmet. I’m going to continue to play that way.”

On NFL linebacker Junior Seau’s death:

“He was a staple for the city of San Diego, and I have a very close relationship with the city of San Diego. There are a lot of people heartbroken over there. It just goes to show you that personal issues affect everybody.

“You have to speak up and you have to say what’s on your mind. Nobody walks through this life alone. You have people who love you no matter who you are. It really hurts, man. It just brings more awareness to what’s going on in this game and post-career.”

What kids can take away from the camp:

“A smile. To see smiles on kids’ faces makes matters so nostalgic, so warming. I just enjoy seeing these kids out here having a good time, and I’m out here having a good time with them.

“I just ran routes with a guy, and one guy shook me a little bit. I hope y’all didn’t get that on camera. I’ll get my job taken.”