APOPKA, Fla. – A former Apopka High School Darter and now Philadelphia Eagle hosted his third annual free youth football camp on Saturday.
Jalen Carter, who is from Central Florida, now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive tackle. For the last three years, he’s offered a free football camp to kids across the area.
“You know, this is where I started, this is where everything started for me and I give love to all the coaches who are still here from when I was here,” Carter said.
Carter said he saw kids who have participated in the camp in years past on Saturday.
“It makes me feel good,” Carter said. “It lets me know they’re watching and supporting me, which helps me support them and what they’re doing.”
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While the camp was hosted at Carter’s alma mater, it didn’t stop kids like Dylan and Demarius McKnight — who plan to play at Evans High School in the fall — from coming out to learn from a pro.
In fact, they’ve participated all three years.
“It’s an amazing opportunity that they give to the youth and the neighborhood, the community, just to be able to come here, have fun and learn some stuff and just get along with the people around you,” said Dylan McKnight.
Both teens were excited to learn from someone who has been in their shoes and made it to the NFL.
“It is, like, very inspiring,” said Demarius McKnight. “It helped me see somebody come from my area and see how I can actually make it somewhere.”
Charles McKnight said the reason why he brought his boys to the camp on Saturday is so they could learn from Carter.
“Just to watch him grow up into a young man like he is, and positive young man, a positive role model,” McKnight said. “That’s the main thing. That’s one reason I wanted to bring my boys out here so they can get that itch too. I want them to always be positive. Don’t be a follower, be a leader.”
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