Rumph to announce his retirement from NFL at youth football camp

Jul/03/08 04:33 PM Filed in: Mike Rumph
NFL cornerback and free safety Mike Rumph will announce his decision to retire at the conclusion of his sixth annual football camp in Boynton Beach July 11.

The three-day camp, for children ages 8 to 15, takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9 to 11 at the Ezell Hester Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd.

The announcement will be made after the last day of camp at 5 p.m. July 11 inside the center's gymnasium.

A native of Boynton Beach and a graduate of Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Rumph, born Nov. 8, 1979, began his professional career began when he was selected 27 overall in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2002 NFL Draft.

In 2002, during the playoffs, Rumph lead his team with a career high eight tackles, including one loss, finishing the season with 40 tackles.

In 2003 he had his first career interception against Tampa Bay. Two more interceptions came in 2003, including an interception of future hall-of-famer Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers.

After ending up on the Rams and then being released by them in 2007, Rumph said he started to focus more on youth athletics, including teams with which his son played.

His retirement would give him more time to focus on activities including his football camp, he said.

Rumph said he wants to be remembered as someone who gave back to the community through sports.

Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police spokeswoman, said Boynton youth would have a chance to play with professional football players this summer at Rumph's camp. She said players would concentrate on speed, strength and conditioning at the camp.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Sabby Piscitelli and Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Josh Shaw are set to help Rumph with his coaching duties.

Cost for the camp is $75 and all proceeds go toward the Boynton Beach Police Athletic League, where Rumph formerly played with the Bulldogs.

The camp concludes with a celebrity basketball game at the Hester Center at 7 p.m. July 11, where local police officers are scheduled to play against athletes.

Athletes playing in the celebrity game include C.J. Jones of the New England Patriots, Jimmy Williams of the Seattle Seahawks and Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers.

Tickets for the basketball tournament can be purchased for $5 at the door.

(sun-sentinel.com)