University of Georgia Football Players Bring Smiles to Camp Sunshine

Blake Tibbs gets tackled and piled on after a touchdown catch during a visit to Camp Sunshine on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, in Rutledge, Ga. (AJ Reynolds/Staff, @ajreynoldsphoto) AJ Reynolds/OnlineAthens.com & T

The Athens Daily-Banner, reporter Nicole Saavedra and photographer AJ Reynolds provided heartwarming coverage of a very special July 2, 2014 for kids with cancer and their new friends from the Georgia football team.

Upon arriving at Camp Sunshine, the handful of University of Georgia football players toured the campground, played a pick up game of football and even signed autographs. The players had many great words about their visit to Camp Sunshine. Sheldon Dawson was one of the players who made the 30 mile drive to the camp.

“I felt the atmosphere, the love around me,” Dawson said. “It opened my eyes to different things.”

Not only did the visit change the lives of the campers, but the players walked away with a new perspective.

“It was like it was one of me, my brothers, my sisters,” Dawson said. “I’d had a rough life myself, but it was nothing compared to this. These kids are strong. These kids are brave.”

Words can can only tell half the story of the joy and excitement at the camp that day. Photos of smiling campers and players help tell the whole story and you can see more at the link below.

Complete story, photo gallery at onlineathens.com