Washington Redskins defensive back and Hendricken alum, Will Blackmon ’02 returned to his alma mater on Saturday afternoon, when he hosted his Second Annual FUNdamentals Youth Football Camp in conjuncation with USA Football at Bishop Hendricken. Sponsors included Gilbane Construction, Gray Matter Marketing, Say Cheese, The Thirsty Beaver and BODYARMOR SuperDrink.
Over 225 kids attended the camp that took place on Herrick Field at Hayden Stadium and was broken down into two separate sessions, morning and afternoon. 50 or 60 kids ages 11-14 took part in the afternoon session. More than 100 kids ages 7-10 attended the morning session.
The camp taught football fundamentals such as passing, catching and running in a non-contact setting. Blackmon and his fellow followed USA Football’s Player Progression Development Model to ensure that the kids were learning in an age-appropriate manner.
Instructor’s included many former college and NFL players, including Jamie Silva (East Providence/Boston College/Former Indianapolis Colt), Bobby Sewall (Portsmouth/Brown University/Retired NFL Wide Receiver with Tennessee Titans), Liam Coen (La Salle/UMass/University of Maine Offensive Coordinator), Chancellor Logan (URI Assistant Coach) and Jordan Monk (St. Raphael/North Carolina State).
The former Hendricken all-stater and all-american at Boston College, Blackmon
is entering his 10th season in the NFL. He has played for the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and now the Redskins. Blackmon won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2012.
Held in part to the National Football League Foundation’s Youth Football Camp Grant, Blackmon hopes the camp can continue on an annual basis at Hendricken.
“I just wanted to have some kind of tradition here [at Hendricken] every year that the kids can look forward to. The main thing of course is that it is free and it is coming from a native Rhode Islander who made it to the professional level and is still playing at the professional level and I have been playing 10 years. It’s what I look forward to and I’m just so thankful.”
To read more of the sports coverage about the camp from the Providence Journal, “Will Blackmon shows the importance of perseverance,” please click here.
To read more of the sports coverage of Will’s accomplishments and the life lessons he has passed to local kids from ESPN.com, “R.I. schoolboy legend Will Blackmon passes along his wisdom to next generation,” please click here.