Everyone knows the off-season is a time that professional athletes use to hone their skills. Recently, 200 young football hopefuls took the time for a similar endeavor thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the sweltering summer heat, these future gridironers attended the Third Annual Chiefs Kids Camp presented by Dannon at the team’s practice facility. This camp provided boys and girls, ages 5-12, with the chance to receive first-class instruction from current and former NFL players alike. At the end of the day’s activities, not even the rising mercury could dull the excitement of this event.

Included in the pantheon of former Red and Gold greats that served as instructors at the camp were TE Paul Coffman, CB Jayice Pearson, T Ricky Siglar, RB Chris Smith and LB Gary Spani. Also on hand to mentor the participants was current Chiefs P Dustin Colquitt. Former Kansas State Wildcat LB Russ Riederer, who went on to coach both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, also was a highly-involved part of the day’s events. The 200 youth present seemed thrilled to rub shoulders with these football experts as they participated in numerous position-specific stations.

“I’ll say one thing, these kids had a lot more energy than I thought they would given the temperature,” noted an awestruck Colquitt. “I tried to stress that there’s a lot more that goes into punting that just kicking a football. I think these kids did a real good job of taking what I said and trying to implement it. There were some pretty good spiral punts out there by the kids.”

While at the camp, each young athlete participated in a myriad of dynamic drills aimed at providing them with a solid football foundation. Some stations focused on passing fundamentals, some proper technique in the “trenches” of the line, while other groups perfected their footwork at the defensive back station. As the day continued on, these talented youngsters improved in every facet of the game and had a great time doing so. Along with the pigskin instruction, these aspiring football players were taught valuable lessons in physical fitness, proper nutrition and the importance of staying active while also receiving encouragement for all their endeavors.

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