Christopher Anderson/The Gazette Cato June (center), a National Football League free agent and Upper Marlboro resident, talks to young football players at his one-day football camp Saturday at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.

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Christopher Anderson/The Gazette Isiah Williams, 11, of Forestville catches a pass in a drill at a one-day football camp Saturday that was sponsored by Cato June, a National Football League free agent and Upper Marlboro resident, at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.
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Christopher Anderson/The Gazette Isiah Williams, 11, of Forestville catches a pass in a drill at a one-day football camp Saturday that was sponsored by Cato June, a National Football League free agent and Upper Marlboro resident, at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.
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Christopher Anderson/The Gazette Bowie High School student Anthony Murray, 17, of Bowie runs a drill during a one-day football camp Saturday that was sponsored by Cato June, a National Football League free agent and Upper Marlboro resident, at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.

Christopher Anderson/The Gazette Cato June (center), a National Football League free agent and Upper Marlboro resident, talks to young football players at his one-day football camp Saturday at Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C.

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250 students participate in football camp hosted by Upper Marlboro resident, linebacker

by Mimi Liu

Staff Writer

Hundreds of middle and high school students from Prince George’s County and the metropolitan area showcased their athleticism and gathered football pointers from National Football League players at a free football camp Saturday.

Cato June, a National Football League linebacker and Upper Marlboro resident, said this is the first time he hosted the professional football camp for youths. He chose to hold the camp at his alma mater, Anacostia High School in Southeast Washington, D.C., because that is where he got his start in football.

“Growing up, I wasn’t able to go to football camps,” he said. “The professional camps are expensive, and anywhere between $200 to $300 for a full session. Many of these kids cannot afford to go, and this allows them to still get that professional experience.”

Organizers said the football camp, which was open to children ages 11 to 18, taught skills such as self-discipline, teamwork, leadership and strategic thinking, while also exposing disadvantaged and at-risk youths to professional career opportunities and goals.

Dressed in a blue T-shirt and athletic shorts, June walked around the football field Saturday morning as 250 students warmed up to music blaring through the speakers.

“How’d y’all feel?” June yelled into his microphone. His question was met with a resounding chorus of “Fired up!”

About 30 volunteer trainers divided the teens into groups and assigned them to training stations on the field. The teens spent about 10 to 15 minutes at each station before rotating to another station. They practiced core football skills such as passing, blocking and catching.

Deonte Tigner, 11, of Forestville, who will be a sixth-grader at Calverton Elementary School in Beltsville, said the trainers nominated him as the best wide receiver of the day. He was awarded a sports watch and an autograph from June as prizes.

“It was fun,” he said. “I liked it a lot. It felt good to me to win something from an NFL player.”

Devon Hairston, 15, of Silver Spring panted and sweated after some running exercises with his group.

“I’m learning a lot about the sport, and I feel real good about myself,” he said.

Pamela Pinkney of Bowie watched from the stands as her son, Jaden Pinkney, 11, practiced drills on the field.

“I think it’s great that they came up with something like this for the kids and even better that it was free, especially since most of them probably wouldn’t have been able to come if there was a fee,” she said. “They seem to be learning a lot and having a lot of fun.”

NFL players helping out at the camp included New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young, a graduate of Largo High School. In addition to professional athletes, college and high school coaches assisted with the training.

June said he wants to make the all-day football camp, which was sponsored by the June Family Foundation and the Reid Temple Christian Academy in Glenn Dale, an annual tradition in the Washington area.

“There’s a lot of credibility added to the sport when you have all these professional players out there trying to help you,” he said. “Hopefully the kids will take those skills with them later on.”

mliu@gazette.net