Edgerrin James Football Camp Returns

COLLIER COUNTY: Former NFL running back Edgerrin James will once again offer a free day of football to Southwest Florida kids.
James and his cousin Javarris James, both from Immokalee and the University of Miami, are teaming up to hold the football skills camp on July 26th at the Immokalee Sports Complex.

The camp will begin at 9:30am with a morning stretch.  The instruction will take place from 10am to 12:30pm, with lunch to follow.  The afternoon session runs from 1pm to 4pm and includes a 7-on-7 tournament.  The pool party will run from 4 to 8pm

More than 400 children participated in last year's free camp. This year's camp four separate age divisions: 6-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-18.

The camp is sponsored by the Edgerrin James Foundation, Collier County Parks and Recreation, and Seminole Tribe Recreation of Immokalee.

To sign up for the camp, contact Joseph Boney at the Immokalee Sports Complex at 657-1951. The Immokalee Sports Complex is located at 505 Escambia St.

James, 31, has played for the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in an 11-year NFL career. He was released by the Seahawks in the middle of last season. James became the first Collier County high school product to play in a Super Bowl the previous season when the Cardinals lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tampa. He is currently a free agent.

James' cousin, Javarris, is also a running back who starred at Immokalee High School and played at the University of Miami. He was not selected in April's NFL Draft, but signed as a free agent with the Colts, where his cousin played for his first seven seasons.

The football camps are just a small part of the charitable contributions James has made to Immokalee over the past decade. James purchased state championship rings for all of the players, coaches and cheerleaders involved with Immokalee High School's 2004 football team, which included Javarris. In 2005, he donated $100,000 to Immokalee High School to provide for a new weight room.

He also set up a destination called "The Fun House" in Immokalee, where young people can go to lift weights and play video games in a safe environment.

In 2000, James donated $250,000 to the University of Miami, the largest-ever donation at the time from a former athlete.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.



(nbc-2.com)