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SALT LAKE CITY — Growing up in Oklahoma, country music legend Garth Brooks was part of a blended family, but the youngest of six boys was never allowed to use the term "step" of "half" when referring to his five older siblings. They were all just brothers.
For him, the lesson of loving your family fully translated into his participation in sports, which he has always wanted to pass onto young people. Today, the music icon uses his celebrity to help instill those virtues in kids who live in the cities he visits while on tour.
As part of his current World Tour, the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation teams up with ProCamps during each tour stop.
Teammates for Kids, established in 1999, provides scholarships for underprivileged children, allowing them to attend ProCamps Sports Camps, hosted by some of the biggest names in professional sports.
"We take a (pro) player and that player pledges so much (money) for a home run, a tackle, etc.," Brooks explained. "We find sponsors to triple it and 100 percent of the money goes to the kids."
The "Teammates ProCamp" events vary by sport. Brooks participates in each camp.
After playing to a sold-out crowd till 2 a.m. Saturday at Vivint Arena, Brooks met a group of kids at the Northwest Recreation Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake City in Rose Park on Saturday afternoon. He was joined by former BYU and NFL players Ryan Denney and Daniel Coats.
Brooks said getting the chance to touch the lives of young kids is gratifying and reminds him of his own childhood and also what it was like playing with his kids when they were young.
"I see my daughter in everyone of these girls' faces here," Brooks said.
Coats was in the audience at both of Brooks concerts on Friday and said he was grateful to be able to participate in the camp on Saturday.
"It's an amazing thing that a guy so talented could have a heart so big," he said. "I remember being young and in these camps. It was the time of our lives. Now to come help (lead these kids), to see kids that look like our kids having fun and getting some exercise is an amazing thing."
Denney said he appreciated being involved in such a unique opportunity to help the young boys and girls learn about teamwork.
"These kids can come out and meet people that they might not get to meet in other circumstances," he explained. "To come out and teach them a few skills while trying to inspire them to work on their athletics and be good people is a great opportunity."
Brooks said he loves creating environments that get kids together so they can make new "teammates" and expand their horizons beyond what they normally experience.
"We challenge these kids to walk away knowing somebody they didn't know when they got here," he explained. "That's what it's all about — relationships, loving one another and going through life together. That's why we're here."
