Photogallery
Huntsville, Ala. – Former Alabama A&M University football standout and current Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, returned to his roots Saturday as he hosted the Inaugural Robert Mathis Football Camp in Louis Crews Stadium.
Mathis and his NFL friend and Huntsville native Amobi Okoye welcomed 150 North Alabama area children, ages 9-17, to a free day of football fun. Among the former Bulldog and Okoye returning to the A&M campus was seventh-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins and the only SWAC football player chosen in the 2007 NFL draft was defensive tackle Frank Kearse.
Mathis mentioned the camp will remain an annual event in years to come.
"Graduating and playing at Alabama A&M, I want to establish something here," said Mathis, who grew in the Atlanta area and graduated from McNair High School.
"I'm excited to be back. The kids had a great time and enjoyed the festivities."
Mathis stated he and the current football Bulldog coaching staff coached the kids in a number of football drills and techniques, but he said there's one thing he considers the single-most important thing he hopes the youngsters take from the camp.
"Discipline," he said. "That's the one thing I want them to take away from this camp. That's the main thing. You want to get them motivated and where they're following direction."
"Camps like this are important to these kids. The coaches out here are guys I played with, and coaches who coached me so these kids can learn some things now and not develop bad habits. They can use what they learn leading up to high school and beyond.
More than 100 fans were in attendance on “The Hill” for the annual event.
Photos for this year’s event will be available this evening and are available for purchase by contacting Sidney Jackson @
sjack383@email4u.com.
Keep up with Robert by visiting his page
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