Justin Fields Hosts Hundreds of Children at His Second Annual Youth Football Camp
Justin Fields, the dynamic quarterback for the Bears, hosted his second annual youth football camp with a triad of objectives: a day filled with fun, some football knowledge sharing, and most importantly, making each young participant feel valued.
Fields masterfully accomplished these aims, much to the delight of the approximately 500 young participants who greeted him with raucous cheers at Deerfield High School on Tuesday afternoon. He made it a point to interact with every child in attendance, creating a lively atmosphere at the camp.
During the event, he ran a special station where he tossed passes to clusters of kids, all vying to score a touchdown by the drill's end. The excitement was palpable as Fields snapped photos with each group before they started their drills.
"The joy on the kids' faces, their reaction to high fives and hugs, was priceless," Fields shared with ChicagoBears.com after the camp. "Making them happy by connecting with them on a personal level was my favorite part of the day."
The charismatic Fields spent about ten minutes with each group, often becoming the center of a whirlwind of high fives, hugs, and selfie requests. The camp's organizer, Forrest West, the CEO of FlexWork, reminisced about needing to "literally pull the kids off Justin" in those memorable moments.
West, who first worked with Fields in Columbus, Ohio, following Fields' final year at Ohio State, praised Fields' unchanging demeanor. "Justin's humility despite his NFL stardom is incredible," West said. "He makes every kid feel great about themselves, leaving them a better athlete and person than when they arrived. His energy is simply magnetic."
The camp featured various drills across all position groups, giving each participant a comprehensive football experience. Volunteer coaches from around the Chicagoland area, coordinated by FlexWork, ran these sessions.
One of these volunteers, Shawn Shine, secretary of the Chicago Public League Football Coaches Association, praised Fields' camp's energy. "Unlike many other professional athletes, Justin's level of interaction was exceptional. If all of FlexWork's camps are like this, then they have something special," Shine opined.
Fields was also determined to ensure children from inner-city areas could attend. He partnered with West, Bears Care, and his marketing team to facilitate transport and admission for around 150-200 children from underserved Chicago neighborhoods.
"We wanted to provide an opportunity for kids who may not ordinarily get a chance to participate in such events," Fields said. "We aimed to make them feel special, enjoy the day, and have a good time. I'm thrilled they could join us and hope we could bless them with this opportunity."
West echoed Fields' sentiments, expressing enthusiasm for strengthening their connection with the Chicago community. He highlighted the significance of such experiences for inner-city kids, stating that this could motivate them and encourage their aspirations.
Fields' camp also attracted the support of Bears rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who believes in the importance of giving back to the community. "Just him being able to be out here is giving them that inspiration and that motivation that they need to keep pushing forward in the sport," Stevenson said, reflecting on Fields' impact.
| POLL | ||
20 JUILLET | 15 ANSWERS Justin Fields Hosts Hundreds of Children at His Second Annual Youth Football Camp Will Justin Fields lead the Bears to a championship in his career? | ||
| Yes | 13 | 86.7 % |
| No | 2 | 13.3 % |
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