NFL’s Reggie Ragland To Host Football Camp
MADISON- “I have some great surprises for the youngsters, that’s all I can tell you,” said Reggie Ragland of his second annual Reggie Ragland Football Camp scheduled for Saturday, July 13, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Bob Jones High.
The current starting linebacker for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and former Bob Jones two-sport athlete is planning on having 10 former or current NFL players in attendance, though he’s keeping their identity under wraps until the whistle blows to start the camp on the artificial turf field at his alma mater. “I’m also going to have other surprises for those in attendance,” added Ragland from his home in Kansas City just a short drive from Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs.
The 25-year old Ragland teaches some of the winning habits he’s come across in his career as a football player starting at Bob Jones, playing for the University of Alabama and now entering his fourth season in the NFL.
“I teach the kids to work hard and to try and put themselves in position to be successful in everything they do,” said Ragland. “I have learned different things from different people and areas of football. People like trainers and assistant coaches and not just the head coaches. I want these youngsters at the camp to know they can play better than before attending the camp.”
Growing up in Huntsville, Ragland never attended any type of football camp until he reached Bob Jones where he attended just one camp- The Alabama Football Camp. It was there he fell in love with Tuscaloosa and the Alabama program under head coach Nick Saban. He knows what it’s like not to attend camps featuring experts in the game and, because of that knowledge, has a second motive for hosting the event.
“I want kids to say growing up they went to a camp and learned so much and became better players,” added Ragland. “If I didn’t do this, it would be shameful.”
Ragland revealed there are already 340 youngsters registered to attend and official registration is closed, but he may be able to accommodate a few walkups the morning of the camp.
“I’m currently living a dream and I want young people to have a dream and possibly live theirs, too,” said Ragland.
