LAWRENCE — Not too many fifth graders can say they learned some of the fundamentals of football from a New England Patriot star.

Nathaniel Cosme, 11, has bragging rights after hanging out with running back Sammy Morris.

"It was great," said Nathaniel, a student at Frost School. "I've never met a famous person before."

Morris, who has been with the Patriots since 2007, was at the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence yesterday leading a two-hour football camp.

Morris' visit was paid for by Elements of a Champion Foundation of Dallas. Usually, the foundation pays to send a child to Morris' camp, but this year he wanted to travel so he can reach out to a greater number of kids.

He was in Andover on Thursday and will run another camp at Andover High today.

"It was a fun experience to play with a real football player," said Matt Sutliff, 13, of Andover.

While growing up in Texas, Morris wished he had a professional to teach him some of the game's techniques.

"This is what I ultimately want to do when I leave the NFL," said Morris, 32. "This is what I'm called to do. It's important for me to do for others what I couldn't get because it's rewarding and fulfilling."

That was evident at the club's gym where members were divided into four groups.

Morris taught blocking, tackling and passing to the campers.

The muscular 6-foot, 220-pound Morris used humor by picking up some of the younger kids after they caught the ball, doing his own victory dance and showing off his prowess on the court by throwing the football into the basketball hoop.

In between drills, he posed for pictures and signed autographs.

Everything was not just fun and games, however.

You could hear a pin drop when Morris spoke about his life growing up in Texas.

He said he was the only one from high school to go on to college. His classmates were either in jail or into drugs.

Morris told the group.

"Everything I've done would not have been possible if I was not able to succeed in school as well," Morris told the group.

Morris hopes to be playing in another Super Bowl this winter.

"That's everyone's goal. It's not enough to say we're 11 and 5. We want to finish all the way," he said.

After the camp, Morris said there are many fundamentals that go into being a good football player.

"It's not just athletic abilities, but also mental, physical and smarts too. There's not one mold for everyone," he said.

"My family and my faith helps me keep strong, along with the proper diet and exercise."

One person impressed by Morris was Alex Andrews, who overcame academic problems to have a fine season at Lawrence High last fall.

"The compliments they gave me made me feel good. As a high school player, all you dream of is to be in the NFL." said Andrews. "I didn't realize that until last year. What he said really hit home because education does play a big part."