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Former ODU star Ray Lawry returns to 757 to host RB training sessions

Posted at 8:08 PM, Oct 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-18 20:08:40-04

NORFOLK, Va. - One of the best college football players to make their way through Old Dominion has returned to the 757, this time, to help our area's young athletes.

Former ODU running back Ray Lawry hosted a pair of running back training sessions on Saturday. He's hosted classes for a few months now, in both New Jersey and Northern Virginia, but Saturday marked the first time he trained athletes in Hampton Roads.

"You guys embrace me down here and have always been supportive of me, so I thought it would be a good way to give back to the people down here in Norfolk," said Lawry, who played at ODU from 2014-17. "The talent down here is ridiculous and if I can help the younger generation out, get them some drills, show what it takes to get to the next level, I love doing that."

To make sure they're prepared for the next level, he's teaching them next level drills. Lawry hearkens back to his time at ODU and his pro experience when training young athletes.

"These are NFL, DI drills that running back coaches teach at the next level," Lawry said. "Guys from day one, to two weeks in, the changes are just crazy so that’s the most rewarding thing for me. Just seeing guys get better every time.”

Just because he's turned to teaching doesn't mean he's done playing the game. When he's not running through drills with his pupils, he's back to training as he awaits an opportunity to play professionally.

Lawry spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs during the 2018 preseason, then went on to play in the Canadian Football League, which postponed play because of the pandemic.

"staying in shape, staying ready,"Lawry said. "Once it comes back I'll be ready for that call."

Lawry may be staying ready for his future and preparing athletes for their futures, but there's still room for reminiscing on the past. One of the athletes Lawry trained shared memories of his time watching Lawry become ODU's all-time leading rusher.

"He’s been watching me from little league up to now, so that’s really cool to coach him up," Lawry said. "That's a good feeling.”