Horned Frogs First Person: Abe Camara
7/3/2023 2:33:00 PM | Football
TCU's latest to wear No. 1 credits his mom for his success
(as told to Lily Margaret Greenway)
When I run on the field, I'm the guy wearing number one on my jersey. I take my number seriously, because I'm reminded of all the guys who wore it before me, and I know I have big shoes to fill. When I put on that helmet, everything is on the line, but when I take it off, I'm a student-athlete, a teammate, a friend and a family member. I'm loving, loyal, and I have a very big heart. I'm a sucker, really. I always seek out the good in people.
One of my favorite parts about wearing number one is seeing all of the kids at the football mega-camps we do wearing number one on their jerseys. It gives me so much joy to work with kids. Their minds are just growing, and they want to know so much. I'm studying Youth Advocacy, and I spend a lot of time reading books to kids and visiting schools. And kids love a jersey, so it's a big deal to them to play football and do drills with the guys who are wearing them. I know what a great influence we can have on them. We get to start 'em off young to show them the way to work hard and go after your dreams.
I value the relationships I have built. You never know how much time you'll have with people, so I really invest in those I love. My family is my rock. They have seen me through every phase of my career, and I can count on them for anything. I know I wouldn't be here without their love and support. Last year, I was starting in a game that I was pretty nervous for, so I called my mom. She just told me, "Do what you do, and what you've always done. You know what you're capable of." The last thing she said was, "I believe in you," and that's all I needed to hear. In 22 years, I've probably seen my mom cry twice. She is a strong woman, she never folds, and she's always been there for me and my siblings. She's my mom, but she's also like a big sister I can look up to. I never doubt that she can help me through anything and everything.
I came to TCU without ever setting foot on campus. I had only done a virtual tour. I am a shy person, and I don't like to talk much when I come into a new group, but when I got here, I was welcomed with open arms. It felt like family. As hard as it is, I am a firm believer that when you're growing up, it's very important to leave your hometown in order to better yourself. One of my biggest goals in life is to travel the world. I started at a junior college in Kansas and I've now explored the DFW area, and I'm eager to see more of the state of Texas. But without football, I would still be at home. I'd be going to school, but there's no way I would have realized the things I know now.
When I run on the field, I'm the guy wearing number one on my jersey. I take my number seriously, because I'm reminded of all the guys who wore it before me, and I know I have big shoes to fill. When I put on that helmet, everything is on the line, but when I take it off, I'm a student-athlete, a teammate, a friend and a family member. I'm loving, loyal, and I have a very big heart. I'm a sucker, really. I always seek out the good in people.
One of my favorite parts about wearing number one is seeing all of the kids at the football mega-camps we do wearing number one on their jerseys. It gives me so much joy to work with kids. Their minds are just growing, and they want to know so much. I'm studying Youth Advocacy, and I spend a lot of time reading books to kids and visiting schools. And kids love a jersey, so it's a big deal to them to play football and do drills with the guys who are wearing them. I know what a great influence we can have on them. We get to start 'em off young to show them the way to work hard and go after your dreams.
I value the relationships I have built. You never know how much time you'll have with people, so I really invest in those I love. My family is my rock. They have seen me through every phase of my career, and I can count on them for anything. I know I wouldn't be here without their love and support. Last year, I was starting in a game that I was pretty nervous for, so I called my mom. She just told me, "Do what you do, and what you've always done. You know what you're capable of." The last thing she said was, "I believe in you," and that's all I needed to hear. In 22 years, I've probably seen my mom cry twice. She is a strong woman, she never folds, and she's always been there for me and my siblings. She's my mom, but she's also like a big sister I can look up to. I never doubt that she can help me through anything and everything.
I came to TCU without ever setting foot on campus. I had only done a virtual tour. I am a shy person, and I don't like to talk much when I come into a new group, but when I got here, I was welcomed with open arms. It felt like family. As hard as it is, I am a firm believer that when you're growing up, it's very important to leave your hometown in order to better yourself. One of my biggest goals in life is to travel the world. I started at a junior college in Kansas and I've now explored the DFW area, and I'm eager to see more of the state of Texas. But without football, I would still be at home. I'd be going to school, but there's no way I would have realized the things I know now.
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