By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
While Terrance Copper returned home to give back to the community, the Washington Mom’s Club took its turn to give something to Copper.
The Mom’s Club honored Copper, a former Washington Pam Pack star and current receiver for the New Orleans Saints, during Friday evening’s Terrance Copper Football Banquet. The Club presented Copper, who holds several Pam Pack football records, with a special plaque.
Copper, who received a standing ovation from the 200-plus people in attendance at the Washington Civic Center, was moved by the gesture.
After dinner, Copper took to the stage and thanked those in attendance for their generosity. He also asked them to attend today’s Terrance Copper First Annual Football Camp, which will be held this morning at Washington High School.
Copper is holding the banquet and camp to raise money for Washington High School.
Copper turned the stage over to Curtis Johnson, the receivers coach for the Saints.
Johnson has been the Saints receivers coach since 2006. Prior to his start with the Saints, Johnson was the receivers coach at the University of Miami for 10 seasons where he helped Andre Johnson, Santana Moss and Reggie Wayne, among others, earn first-round selections in the NFL Draft.
Copper said that Johnson is much more than a coach to him.
Johnson, who delivered a 20-minute speech, was eloquent, funny and moving. The Saints assistant coach said he was impressed with the turnout at Friday’s banquet, especially with the Summer Festival going on just a couple blocks away.
Johnson spoke about each NFL player in attendance, including Copper.
Johnson also talked about New Orleans receivers Lance Moore, David Patten, Robert Meacham and Devery Henderson, along with Houston Texans fullback Vonta Leach, who will also assist at today’s football camp.
Patten owns three Super Bowl rings that he earned while playing with the New England Patriots.
Johnson said Moore is a pro in every sense of the word.
Johnson praised the quick feet of Henderson.
Johnson noted that Meacham has blossomed into a great receiver.
Johnson also talked about Saints assistant coach Carter Sheridan, who was also in attendance and will assist at today’s camp.
Johnson, who was joined by his wife, Angel, encouraged people to give back in three ways, including time, talents and treasures.
He went on to talk about the “five domains in life.” They include the mental, emotional, social, physical and spiritual domains.
The mental domain deals with “how intelligent you are; what you think about,” Johnson said.
The emotional domain revolves around “how you deal with you,” he said. “It’s about what you tell yourself in the mirror.”
Johnson said the social domain involves “how you deal with people around you.”
The other two domains are physical, about taking care of yourself, and spiritual.
As the banquet wrapped up, Copper planned to take his teammates and coaches downtown to the Summer Festival for funnel cakes and polish sausages. All in all, he said the banquet was a huge success.