Three Lee County NFL players are giving back to their communities this summer by teaching and providing guidance to young athletes.
More than 600 young football players have already signed up for free summer football camps being run by Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Tommy Bohanon and free-agent safety Tre Boston, both Nort Fort Myers High graduates, and Cypress Lake graduate and Atlanta Falcons linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
Bohanon and Boston's camps are at North Fort Myers High June 23 and June 30, respectively, while Campbell returns to his alma mater for a camp on July 14.
“Lots of our former athletes are doing things,” said Iris DeHoyos, Boston’s mom. “They don’t forget where they came from. The athletes from Lee County are doing something for their communities, not just in cities where they play.”
Bohanon’s event is for players in Grades 1-8. There will be lunch as well as a swag bag for the youths, which include nutritious snacks. The goal is to double last year’s inaugural camp total of 90 participants.
“For at least one day, I wanted to have something where the parents don’t have to pay for a camp,” Tommy Bohanon said. “Come out and have some fun.”
Bohanon and wife Katie are sensitive to the challenges many North Fort Myers families face. Based on 2017 population statistics by the Horizon Council, the area's median household income is $40,000 with about 46 percent making $35,000 or less.
The Bohanons are working with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to develop a scholarship program. The main requirement is that the student be involved with a sports team.
“We’d like to nurture those kids as they get to college and assist them,” Katie Bohanon said. “We want to make sure the kids who want more education get the proper nurturing and be prepared for that adult journey. Then we want them to come back to our community.”
Tommy Bohanon said North Fort Myers High athletic director Joe Bowen helped him recruit about 20 volunteer high school coaches with local Pop Warner coaches also helping.
The Wake Forest graduate, who went from being out of the NFL in 2016 to playing a key role in the Jaguars' run to the AFC Championship Game last season, has a genuine message: Get an education and do everything you can to follow your dreams.
Bohanon, a former North Fort Myers Pop Warner player, recently received the Humanitarian Award from Pop Warner Little Scholars at the 58th Annual All-American Scholars Banquet. Awards are given to individuals who set a positive example for today’s youth by accomplishing both outstanding athletic achievements and philanthropic initiatives.
Boston's camp is a week after Bohanon’s camp and hit its 250-player capacity cap on June 13.
About 50 volunteers and coaches will take part as well as groups like Pop Warner; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Safe Kids Southwest Florida; Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida; North Fort Myers Girls and Boys Club; Shady Oaks Park; SWFL Historical Society and the Alliance for the Arts.
Participants will not only learn football skills, but there also will be a focus on safety, prevention, the importance of education and life choices. They’ll receive a backpack, shirt and meal.
“Tre will teach that education and books smarts are important but he’ll also talk about prevention and awareness,” DeHoyos said.
Boston, a safety, had five interceptions and 79 tackles last season for the Los Angeles Chargers while garnering All-Pro attention. He started his career with the Carolina Panthers.
On July 14, the venue will switch to Cypress Lake High for De’Vondre Campbell’s football camp.
Campbell’s camp will have free drinks, food and giveaways for players ages 8-17.
Lee County football camps featuring NFL players
The 2018 Tommy Bohanon Youth Football Camp
- Where: North Fort Myers High
- When: 8:30 a.m. June 23
Tre Boston Belief Foundation
- Where: North Fort Myers High
- When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 30
- Register: The camp reached 250-player capacity
De’Vondre Campbell football camp
- Where: Cypress Lake High
- When: 10 a.m. July 14