NFL training camps are scheduled to open in July but, meanwhile, there are hundreds of youth football camps occurring this month.
For example, Dekoda Watson, a 10-year NFL alum who was drafted by the Bucs in 2010, brought back his camp in his hometown of Aiken (SC) earlier this month. Watson had taken a break from hosting his ‘Koda’s Kids’ football and cheerleading camp after he retired from the league in 2020. However, he resumed the sessions this year and had a terrific response from the young people in Aiken.
“It took me a while to adjust to regular life after a decade in the league,” Watson explains. “However, I realized that even though you are retired from playing, you can continue to be involved. You can still use your platform. The kids can be coached, and it can still be fun.”
Felix Jones, the former Cowboys running back, is another alum who offers an opportunity for young people to enjoy a football experience. He has been staging his camp for 14 consecutive years in his hometown of Tulsa (OK).
“I just want to help and guide them and be a good influence,” says Jones. “I want them to learn life skills in addition to football drills. There’s a lot of things going on and we want to show the kids the right way.”
NFL Foundation, a non-profit organization which was started by the team owners in 1974, provides grants to alumni who organize and host free, non-contact youth football camps. Thousands of youths have been given the opportunity to learn the game of football, get physically fit, and stay involved in activities with adult mentors. More than 100 NFL alums this year received maximum $2,000 grants from the Foundation. Alumni such as Isaac Bruce, Jarrod Bunch, Prince Amukamara and Ibraheim Campbell have been operating free camps for several years and received grants this summer.
We at NFL Alumni applaud our brothers who continue to live our motto of “Caring For Our Community” through these summer camps. Many of us experienced our first taste of football through similar camps years ago and this is an excellent way for us to give back to our young fans and their families.
