With semester finals on the horizon and preparations for an appearance in the Emerald Bowl well under way, twenty-five Maryland football players set aside some time to visit the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, December 2.

The visit included arts and crafts, games, and interaction between the players and children, who ranged in age from 18 months to 17 years old. Ten players were afforded an exclusive opportunity to visit with more embattled children on the extended stay floor and in the neo-natal intensive care unit.

"My experience at the Children's National Medical Center is one that I have reflected on each day since the visit," added junior cornerback Kevin Barnes. "There are just those days when nothing seems to be going my way, but I can now look back on this experience and it gives me motivation to keep pushing because there are people that are fighting much more important battles than I could ever imagine."

In addition to organized activities, Terrapin student-athletes found some time to simply sit and chat with patients and their families. "While I was there I got a chance to color with a 7-year old boy and his older brother. We spent the whole time talking about football and different positions on defense - which we all decided was better than offense," joked senior linebacker Jermaine Lemons.

Maryland football players have already planned a return trip to the Children's National Medical Center in February.

On the cusp of his last collegiate football game, Lemons used the visit to reflect on his time as a Terrapin student-athlete by adding, "I am a senior and I have been to many community service events to read, play games, or just talk to young people, some of whom may not be as fortunate as I am. This event was very special to me because it was my last one as a member of the Maryland Terrapins football team. In all, visiting this hospital will probably be one of the best memories I will leave here with."

Joining Barnes and Lemons on the visit were Jamarr Robinson, Jeff Allen, Webb Dulin, Olugbemi Otulaja, Trenton Hughes, Ronnie Tyler, Jordan Steffy, Mitch Levine, Haroon Brown, Nolan Carroll, Andrew Gonnella, Edwin Williams, Elbert "Robbie" Robinson, Dane Randolph, Alex Schultz, Torrey Smith, Terrell Skinner, Chris Rhodes, Dan Gronkowski, Stephen Hargett, Steven Pfister, Da'Rel Scott, and Trey Covington.

Children's National Medical Center, located in Washington, D.C., is a leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury. Among the top 10 pediatric hospitals in America, Children's has been serving the nation's children for more than 130 years. Children's Research Institute, the academic arm of Children's National Medical Center, encompasses the translational, clinical and community research efforts of the institution. You can visit their web site at www.dcchildrens.com.