Dontari Poe and Allen Bailey have a blast hosting local youths during football camp

A handful of local children got a chance to witness the rarest of sights Tuesday evening — nose tackle Dontari Poe, all 346 pounds of him, lining up as a cornerback and trying to defend passing routes.

This was the scene at the Chiefs’ practice facility, as Poe and fellow defensive lineman Allen Bailey helped the team and Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Muñoz host an NFL Play 60 character camp for area youth in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The mission of the event was to make a positive impact on youth through teaching football skills, emphasizing exercise and reinforcing the importance of character in athletics and life. The event was run in collaboration with USA Football and their NFL Flag curriculum, which introduces children to football by teaching basic skills in a noncontact setting.

And in the middle of all of it was Poe, who let the kids take turns trying to catch a pass on him.

“The kids are always a good time, man,” Poe said. “(They have) no problems, no worries. They’re just about one thing — having fun. I feed off their energy.”

Poe hoped his positive attitude during the event left a lasting impression on the kids.

“Kids are sponges; they soak up a lot,” Poe said. “Any positivity I can bring to them, I know it goes a long way.”

The Chiefs continue to champion the Play 60 message of eating right, staying active and living healthy lifestyle with numerous outreach events and activities each season. In fact, last year alone these efforts encouraged local youth to be active for an estimated 2.5 million minutes.

Bailey said he and Poe enjoyed hosting the event because it broke up a monotonous football schedule.

“Ordinarily, we’re playing with grown men, so it’s fun seeing a kid smile, see them laugh,” Bailey said. “It’s a nice breather from the busy daily schedule we have from 8:30 in the morning to 5:30 in the afternoon.”


(kansascity.com)