Giving back to the community is an initiative that some professional athletes take on by leveraging their celebrity status. Many of them do this through youth sports. Past and present NFL players and coaches run youth football camps throughout the country.
The NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF), established in 1998 by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, employs football as a catalyst to promote positive youth development, support youth and high school football needs nationwide and also ensure the health of grassroots football for future generations. The YFF recently announced that it had awarded $600,000 to 150 free youth football camps run by former and current NFL players and coaches through the 2010 NFL Player & Coaches Football Camp Grant program.
Grant recipients include Herm Edwards, Rodney Harrison, Ron Jaworski, Maurice Jones-Drew, Torry Holt, Marvin Lewis, George Martin, Sean Payton, Ray Rice, Matt Ryan, Bob Sanders, Fred Taylor and Jason Witten. The camps will reach more than 40,000 youth players this summer. Through their camps, the players and coaches are able to give back to a sport that has provided them with so much.
"I dreamed of this camp becoming a big event and I like having an opportunity to influence our youth in a positive way," Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice said. "It's great to get back out in this community to work alongside the kids. I'm appreciative that they look up to me and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to make an impact on them."
When they were growing up, many of the players never had youth camps with NFL players to go to like the ones that they now run.
"It is the most important thing I do as a football player," Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew said. "I didn't have an opportunity to learn from an NFL player when I was growing up and hear what they had to say about getting better and doing the right things. Football is a great game, and I want to pass my knowledge on to the younger generation."
The YFF has awarded more than $2.5 million through these camp grants in recent years.
"We are pleased to help our players and coaches give back during the off-season," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell who serves on the board of directors of both the YFF and USA Football. "These camps are an excellent way to help young fans learn skills and stay active and fit."
For the first time, the YFF is offering coaches affiliated with 2010 Camp Grant programs a free, online health and safety course through USA Football called Coach Smart.
"We are pleased that the NFL supports players and coaches who are committed to giving back to the sport by teaching the game's fundamentals to our kids," USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. "These free camps exemplify the players' passion for a game that teaches us so much about ourselves and the values that help us throughout our lives. USA Football is proud to work with the Youth Football Fund by providing our Coach Smart youth health and safety course for the Camp Grant program."
The USA Football Coach Smart youth health and safety awareness course provides information regarding concussion awareness and management as well as heat and hydration preparedness. Adapted from USA Football's Certified Coaching Education Program and specifically created for the YFF's Camp Grant program, this online resource features health and safety elements. Before a camp begins, each coach will have taken the course and successfully completed a quiz to foster comprehension.
"Initial feedback I got from the course was positive," said former New York Giants defensive lineman George Martin of his camp's coaches and volunteers who have taken the required course. "We have told our coaches to make sure that the campers have fun, are always safe and well-hydrated and are encouraged to give maximum effort."
2010 NFL Youth Football Fund Player & Coach Camp Grant Recipients:
|
PLAYER |
CAMP LOCATION AND START DATE |
|
Aleaga, Ink-RET |
DUWAMISH, WA-6/23 |
|
Alexander, Lorenzo-Free Agent |
OAKLAND, CA-7/10 |
|
Allen, Jason-MIA |
MUSCLE SHOALS, AL-6/26 |
|
Anderson, Charlie-MIA |
JACKSON, MS-6/22 |
|
Bajema, Billy-STL |
BETHANY, OK-6/28 |
|
Baker, Ryan-MIA |
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-6/26 |
|
Bloomgren, Mike-NYJ* |
TALLAHASSEE, FL-7/6 |
|
Bowser, Charles-RET |
PLYMOUTH, NC-6/24 |
|
Bradshaw, Ahmad-NYG |
BLUEFIELD, VA-7/14 |
|
Brown, Chris-Free Agent |
NAPERVILLE, IL-7/9 |
|
Bruce, Isaac-RET |
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL-6/5 |
|
Bullitt, Melvin-IND |
GARLAND, TX-7/17 |
|
Butler, James-STL |
BAINBRIDGE, GA-5/22 |
|
Camarillo, Greg-MIA |
COMPTON, CA-7/11 |
|
Canty, Chris-NYG |
CHARLOTTE, NC-6/24 |
|
Chambers, Chris-KC |
BEDFORD, OH-6/24 |
|
Cherilus, Gosder-DET |
SOMERVILLE, MA-7/19 |
|
Clark, Desmond-CHI |
LAKELAND, FL-6/26 |
|
Clowney, David-NYJ |
DELRAY BEACH, FL-6/26 |
|
Cooper, Jon-MIN |
FORT COLLINS, CO-7/6 |
|
Copeland, Danny-RET |
ROCKLEDGE, FL-7/16 |
|
Cotchery, Jerricho-NYJ |
BIRMINGHAM, AL-6/26 |
|
Cowsette, Delbert-RET |
ANNANDALE, VA-7/13 |
|
Cullen, Joe-JAX* |
DETROIT, MI-6/24 |
|
Dar Dar, Kirby-RET (2 Camps) |
SYRACUSE, NY-7/15; 7/31 |
|
Darling, Devard-Free Agent (2 Camps) |
NASSAU, BAHAMAS-7/12; 7/15 |
|
David, Jason-Free Agent |
COVINA, CA-6/26 |
|
Davis, Andra-BUF |
DOWLING PARK, FL-6/18 |
|
Davis, Thomas-CAR |
CHARLOTTE, NC-5/8 |
|
Dellenbach, Jeff-RET |
CORAL SPRINGS, FL-6/24 |
|
Dotson, Santana-RET |
HOUSTON, TX-6/19 |
|
Edwards, Dwan-BUF |
BILLINGS, MT-7/10 |
|
Edwards, Herm-RET |
DEL REY OAKS, CA-6/26 |
|
Elam, Abram-CLE |
ATLANTA, GA-7/10 |
|
Fowler, Eric-DET |
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI-6/19 |
|
Fox, Keyaron-PIT |
ATLANTA, GA-6/19 |
|
Fudge, Jamaal-Free Agent |
JACKSONVILLE, FL-7/16 |
|
Garrett, Jason-DAL* |
PRINCETON, NJ-6/18 |
|
Giacomini, Breno-GB |
MALDEN, MA-7/23 |
|
Godfrey, Chris-RET |
SOUTH BEND, IN-7/15 |
|
Goldson, Dashon-SF |
CARSON, CA-7/10 |
|
Golston, Kedric-WAS |
FAIRFAX, VA-6/5 |
|
Graham, Daniel-DEN |
DENVER, CO-6/18 |
|
Gray, Jerry-SEA* |
LUBBOCK, TX-7/8 |
|
Gross, Al-RET |
GLENDALE, AZ-6/11 |
|
Groves, Quentin-OAK |
CROSSROADS, MS-6/19 |
|
Grubbs, Ben-BAL |
CENTRAL, AL-7/15 |
|
Gurley, Sheddrick-RET |
PAISLEY, FL-8/2 |
|
Hall, Korey-GB |
GLENNS FERRY, ID-6/30 |
|
Hall, Roy-NO |
CLEVELAND, OH-6/25 |
|
Hamilton, Lynell-NO |
STOCKTON, CA-7/17 |
|
Hansen, Phil-RET (3 Camps) |
DETROIT LAKES, MN 7/28; FARGO, ND 8/2; WAHPETON, ND 8/16 |
|
Harris, Antoine-Free Agent |
COLUMBUS, OH-7/10 |
|
Harris, Leroy-TEN |
NEUSE, NC-7/10 |
|
Harrison, Lloyd-RET |
NC STATE UNIVERSITY, NC-6/12 |
|
Harrison, Rodney-RET |
COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, IL-6/26 |
|
Hart, Mike-IND |
N. SYRACUSE, NY-6/26 |
|
Hartsock, Ben-NYJ |
CHILLICOTHE, OH-6/5 |
|
Haye, Jovan-TEN |
NASHVILLE, TN-6/12 |
|
Henderson, Eric (EJ)- MIN |
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN-6/11 |
|
Holt, Torry-NE |
GIBSONVILLE, NC-6/27 |
|
Idonije, Israel-CHI |
BLUE ISLAND, IL-6/12 |
|
Jackson, Marlin-PHI |
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-6/12 |
|
Jackson, Roger-RET |
MACON, GA-6/19 |
|
Jackson, Tyoka-RET |
DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD-7/23 |
|
Jaworski, Ronald-RET |
STONE HARBOR, NJ-6/27 |
|
Jeanty, Rashad-CIN |
NORTHAMPTON, MA-1/31 |
|
Jennings, Greg-GB |
KALAMAZOO, MI-6/19 |
|
Johnson, Josh-TB |
OAKLAND, CA-7/10 |
|
Jones, Felix-DAL |
TULSA, OK-5/29 |
|
Jones, Jacoby-HOU |
NEW ORLEANS, LA-5/29 |
|
Jones, James-GB |
SAN JOSE, CA-6/26 |
|
Jones, Travis-NO* |
MACON, GA-6/25-26 |
|
Jones-Drew, Maurice-JAX |
JACKSONVILLE, FL-6/19 |
|
King,Kenny-RET |
GILBERT, AZ-5/24 |
|
Kitchens, Freddie-ARI |
GADSDEN, AL-6/19 |
|
Koenen, Michael-ATL |
FERNDALE, WA-6/5 |
|
Koets, Adam-NYG |
STATEN ISLAND, NY-2/27 |
|
Kotwica, Ben-NYJ* |
CRESTWOOD, IL-6/18 |
|
Lang, Kenard-RET |
ORLANDO, FL-8/9 |
|
Leonhard, Jim-NYJ |
TONY, WI-6/26 |
|
Lewis, Marvin-CIN* |
CINCINNATI, OH-6/8 |
|
Lewis, Thomas-RET |
AKRON, OH-7/17 |
|
Lincoln, Jeremy-RET |
TOLEDO, OH-6/25 |
|
Lutui, Deuce-ARI |
GILBERT, AZ-7/29; FLAGSTAFF, AZ-7/30 |
|
Martin, Charly-CAR |
FARMINGTON, NM-7/6 |
|
Martin, George-RET |
E. RUTHERFORD, NJ-6/19 |
|
Mathis, Terance-RET (2 Camps) |
ATLANTA GA-6/3; ORANGE, NJ-6/25 |
|
McBean, Ryan-DEN |
EULESS, TX-7/17 |
|
McCargo, John-BUF |
VICTORIA, VA-6/29 |
|
McDonald, Devon-RET |
INDIANAPOLIS, IN-7/8 |
|
McKinney, Brandon-BAL |
DAYTON, OH-6/17 |
|
McNeil, Emanuel-RET |
LAKESIDE, VA-7/6 |
|
Mickens, Ray-RET |
EL PASO, TX-5/15 |
|
Mitchell, Brian-RET |
NEWPORT NEWS, VA-7/9 |
|
Moore, Kareem-WAS |
EGYPT, MS-6/26 |
|
Moore, Mewelde-PIT |
BATON ROUGE, LA-4/24 |
|
Mughelli, Ovie-ATL |
ATLANTA, GA-5/22 |
|
Murphy, Jason-RET |
BALTIMORE, MD-6/12 |
|
Navies, Hannibal-RET |
BERKELEY, CA-5/14 |
|
Nece, Ryan-RET |
TAMPA, FL-7/9 |
|
Norwood, Jerious-ATL |
BRANDON, MS-7/17 |
|
Owens, Chris-ATL |
LOS ANGELES, CA-7/10 |
|
Paschal, Marcus-BAL |
LARGO, FL-7/10 |
|
Payne, Kevin-STL |
JUNCTION CITY, AR-7/17 |
|
Payton, Sean-NO* |
METAIRIE, LA-6/18 |
|
Peterson, Mike-ATL (2 Camps) |
ATLANTA, GA-6/12; GAINSVILLE, FL-6/26 |
|
Pope, Leonard- KC |
AMERICUS, GA-6/26 |
|
Randle El, Antwaan-PIT |
DIXMOOR, IL-7/8 |
|
Reid, Darrell-DEN |
EAST FREEHOLD, NJ-7/10 |
|
Reynolds, Ed-RET |
WAUGHTOWN, NC-7/12 |
|
Rice, Ray-BAL |
NEW ROCHELLE, NY-6/12 |
|
Roberts, Daron-DET* |
MOUNT PLEASANT, TX-7/12 |
|
Robinson, Michael-SF |
MILLERS, VA-5/22 |
|
Rosario, Dante-CAR |
MCMINNVILLE, OR-7/9 |
|
Royal, Robert-CLE |
LAFAYETTE SQUARE, LA-7/2 |
|
Rucker, Keith- RET (2 Camps) |
BLUE ASH, OH 5/29; HOMEWOOD IL-7/24 |
|
Rushing, TJ-Free Agent |
PAULS VALLEY, OK-6/12 |
|
Ryan, Matt-ATL |
ROSWELL, GA-6/19 |
|
Ryans, DeMeco-HOU |
BESS, AL-6/26 |
|
Sanders, Bob-IND |
ERIE, PA-6/19 |
|
Scobee, Josh-JAX |
GREGGTON, TX-6/12 |
|
Sims, Ernie-DET |
TALLAHASSEE, FL-7/9 |
|
Smith, Brad-NYJ |
YOUNGSTOWN, OH-7/24 |
|
Starks, Max-PIT |
ORLANDO, FL-6/18 |
|
Stewart, Jonathan-CAR |
LACEY, WA-7/7 |
|
Stinchcomb, Jon-NO |
METAIRIE, LA-6/11 |
|
Swain, Brett-GB |
CARLSBAD, CA-7/24 |
|
Swain, John-RET |
MINNEAPOLIS, MN-6/25 |
|
Taylor, Curtis-SF |
FRANKLINTON, LA-7/10 |
|
Taylor, Fred-NE |
BELLE GLADE, FL-7/3 |
|
Teerlinck, John-IND* |
CLEVELAND, OH-6/18 |
|
Thornton, David-TEN |
GOLDSBORO, NC-6/26 |
|
Torrence, Leigh-NO |
ATLANTA, GA-6/26 |
|
Tulloch, Stephen-TEN |
CROSSINGS, FL-7/10 |
|
Turner, Nate-RET |
CHICAGO, IL-6/19 |
|
Urban, Jerheme-KC |
COLOGNE, TX-6/26 |
|
Velasco, Fernando-TEN |
GRANGE, GA-6/19 |
|
Walker, Frank-Free Agent |
TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE, AL-7/7 |
|
Weatherford, Steve-NYJ |
TERRE HAUTE, IN-6/26 |
|
Wells, Dean-RET |
LOUISVILLE, KY-7/15 |
|
Wiley, Chuck-RET |
BATON ROUGE, LA-6/26 |
|
Williams, Madieu-MIN |
COLLEGE PARK, MD-4/24 |
|
Williams, Paul-TEN |
AVENAL, CA-6/5 |
|
Williams, Roland-RET |
SAINT LOUIS, MO-6/25 |
|
Witten, Jason-DAL |
ELIZABETHTON, TN-6/26 |
|
Woodley, LaMarr-PIT |
SAGINAW, MI-6/12 |
|
Woods, Pierre-NE |
BRATENAHL, OH-6/26 |
|
Young, Brian-RET |
EL PASO, TX-7/9 |
|
Young, Usama-NO |
KETTERING, MD-6/26 |
|
Zendejas, Luis-RET |
MONTERREY, Mexico-6/22 |
*denotes current NFL coaches receiving NFL Coach Camp Grants
