So many celebrities, it seems, hate their lives. While craving fame, they also despise it. Pretty soon the public gets its fill of such unhappy characters, and it all trickles downhill from there.

Fortunately, Indianapolis Colts star defensive back Bob Sanders is enjoying his every moment in the limelight. At the Super Bowl in February, Sanders was front and center, cheering for his teammates and fans, and letting everyone know he thrilled he was about the Colts' success. He seemed to be right smack in the middle of every celebratory photograph.

A couple weeks later, Sanders returned home to share his success with family and friends. He spoke at schools all over Erie, saving his favorite stop for last. His visit to Cathedral Prep, his alma mater, proved both satisfying and inspiring. Nearly every student at Prep wore a jersey with Sanders' number on the back, and the kids practically brought down the rafters of the old school with the volume of their cheering for their fellow Rambler.

On Thursday, Sander was back in Erie again -- this time to help make another dream come true. Ironically, it was Sanders' dream. He said, as a boy, he'd long wanted to attend a big-time football camp, but there just wasn't enough money in the family for such a luxury. So, now that he's in a position to do so, Sanders decided to stage a football camp of his own.

It's scheduled June 22-23 at Gannon University Field and -- get this -- the camp, which will be more of a football clinic, will be free for the 500 lucky kids who attend. Hamot Medical Center, a local hospital, will help underwrite the camp, but it clearly will be Sanders' show. He hopes to convince a few friends from the NFL into coming in for the sessions.

The way that usually works is that Sanders will commit to his friends' camps in order to talk them into coming to his. In other words, it's no small committment, and this is clearly something he wants to do. The amazing thing is that he expects no financial gain from it.

Yes, Sanders is a wealthy young man -- probably far and beyond even his own dreams. But, time and again, he keeps giving back to his family, friends, school and his community. It makes me proud to live in the town where Sanders grew up. It makes me proud to have attended the same grade school and high school he did, albeit more than 25 years earlier than he did.

Erie Times-News sports writer and columnist Duane Rankin covered Sanders' press conference, and I thought he did a great job capturing the flavor of the event. He also captured Sanders' spirit. Rankin's story shows an understanding of how important a gesture like this -- for Erie's kids -- is for a man like Sanders.

On the playing field, Sanders, who only stands about 5-foot-9, goes all out. He hits opposing players with the force of a Mack truck, which is why he's been hampered at times by injuries. But it seems that's the only way Sanders knows -- both in football and in life. He's all heart, and I only hope he continues to enjoy the life he's leading. It's fun for all of us to watch.

-- Kevin Cuneo

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