By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
Lake Orion’s Jeff Heath is one of those great examples of a Dragon who loves his community and wants to help.
Heath, a 2009 Lake Orion graduate, is about to begin his third season in the National Football League playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
But last week, he and some other former LO stars, returned to their roots to help some of the younger Dragons learn the game of football and some life lessons.
Lake Orion football Coach Chris Bell said the school was extremely happy to have Jeff come back and conduct the football camp. Bell and Heath said they hoped it would become an annual event.
‘Jeff had offered that if there was anything he would do, he would be here to help,? Bell said. ‘He offered to help refurbish our weight room. Jeff said he would match all of the revenue we are getting from the camp and the money will go to refurbish the weight room. All kids can use it and benefit from it.?
During a break in the camp last week, Heath said he was enjoying working with the youngsters, in third through eighth grade. There also was an afternoon session with high school-aged kids.
‘I wanted to give back in any way possible. Lake Orion had such a big part making me who I am and getting to where I am at today.
‘I remember when I was their age and meeting players. I looked up to them then and it was special. I just wanted to give back a little bit now.?
Bell said Heath and the other players who came out are great examples of Dragon pride.
‘These guys are great examples and role models. A few years ago, they were these kids out here today. It’s awesome,? Bell said.
Heath and some former LO players, such as Marcus Stevenson and Robert Aiello, were running the boys through drills during the camp and obviously enjoying the youngsters? enthusiasm.
‘The younger you can learn the fundamentals the better. That is what we’re doing here. We’re not saying you’re a quarterback or running back. We want everyone to learn every position.
‘They need to be as well-rounded as possible. It will benefit them in the future.?
Heath knows the importance of being well-rounded more so than many players.
His path to the NFL was one of the most unlikely ones anyone could imagine. It proves that anything is possible.
After a successful high school football career at Lake Orion, he was thinking about playing soccer, which had been his first love as a child.
Since he had no offers to play college football, soccer seemed like a chance to have some fun and play a game he enjoyed.
He has admitted to tagging along with a couple of friends who were going up to Saginaw Valley State University to have a workout and maybe try out for the football team.
SVSU coaches liked what they saw and soon offered Heath a scholarship. He played safety as a sophomore , junior and senior at SVSU.
He was noticed by some Dallas Cowboys? scouts in his junior year and they continued to watch him play as a senior. He was not drafted but the Cowboys signed him as a free agent and he made the team.
What impressed the Cowboys? coaching staff was his knowledge of the game and the intracacies of playing safety. Some commented that he possessed the football intelligence of a veteran player.
Heath said much of his football knowledge was learned on the fields of Lake Orion.
In week eight of his rookie season in 2013, Heath got his first start at safety due to some injuries. That game was against the Detroit Lions, which brought his family and Lake Orion fans out en masse to see him play at Ford Field.
During a question and answer last week at the Lake Orion football camp, Heath was asked by one of the youngsters what his best game was and he replied that it was the game against the Lions. During the game, he forced a fumble and also went up against the Lion’s Calvin Johnson.
This season, Heath is the Cowboys special team captain and plays on all kickoff and punt squads.
It was obvious from watching Heath smiling during his camp with the youngsters that he enjoyed helping them.
He obviously also enjoyed answering questions from some of the boys.
‘Are you friends with Tony Romo?? one of the boys asked.
‘I have his phone number but I don’t hang out with him,? Heath said.
That seemed to satisfy the youngsters as they gazed at their hero and knew that he was once a Dragon, just like them.