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A person familiar with the show describes Tony Gonzalez as more Randy Jackson than Simon Cowell in the latest offseason TV venture for the Chiefs Pro Bowl tight end.

“He’s definitely Randy — opinionated, but nice,’’ said Denise White, the business manager for the Tony Gonzalez Foundation and coordinator of the three-day Gonzalez football camp that concluded for some 350 kids Sunday at the Chiefs training complex.

The show is called “Oprah Winfrey’s The Big Give.’’ Produced by Oprah’s Harpo Productions for ABC prime time, it’s an “Apprentice’’ style program in which 10 contestants are given money and resources to benefit people in need. The list is reduced each week until one last humanitarian remains.
Gonzalez joins with Malaak Rock, wife of comedian Chris, and Jamie Oliver, better known as The Naked Chef, in judging the effectiveness of their efforts. Oprah reportedly will play some role in the eight-week series.

To establish the philanthropic credentials of its football-playing judge, Harpo crews filmed Sunday’s final day of Gonzalez’s third-annual effort to give something back to the youth of the Metro area.

Using volunteer instructors such as former Chiefs receiver Kevin Lockett, Gonzalez’s camp encompasses lessons on football and life. Chiefs teammates speak during the daily lunch sessions, sponsored by Burger King, on how they came to be NFL players through dedication, devotion and perseverance.

“You should have heard Larry Johnson yesterday,’’ Gonzalez said. “He was really good, really had a message for these kids.’’

Gonzalez wasn’t bad himself on Sunday. He challenged his campers to dream big, to dedicate themselves to achieving those dreams and to have some fun along the way. He told of riding the bench as a 12-year-old Pop Warner player, and of living in fear of an older bully, until one day deciding it was time to starting handing out hits instead of taking them.
As camp organization goes, advance Gonzo to the next round. Longtime youth coaches and women who’ve obviously been around a lunchroom keep a potential runaway train on schedule.

The $275 camp fee goes to Gonzalez’s charitable work with Shadow Buddies — companion dolls for sick children — and the Boys’ and Girls Clubs. Roughly half the attendees, however, are underprivileged children sponsored by corporate benefactors.

“Our ultimate goal,’’ White said, “is to someday make this free for everyone.’’

Oprah would be proud.

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