'Ain't a juice camp,' this is Joey's camp
| Saturday, Jun 20 2009 11:11 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Jun 20 2009 11:31 PM
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Felix Adamo/ The Californian NFL star Joey Porter once again came home to Bakersfield to direct his Joey Porter Boot Camp for young footballers.
Felix Adamo/ The Californian Miami Dolphin Jake long puts the kids through their paces at the Joey Porter Boot Camp held saturday at Foothill High.
Felix Adamo/ The Californian NFL star Joey Porter runs to get in the clear to make a pass during his football boot camp for kids at Foothill high.
Kids crowded by the fence next to the driveway at Foothill High School on Saturday morning, trying to catch a glimpse of who was inside the vehicle waiting for the door to open.
Then, what they were all waiting for: Out of the limousine bus they came, one after another. Bakersfield boy Joey Porter had brought home the biggest stars the Miami Dolphins have to offer.
They joined Porter and walked onto the Foothill football field, fresh off a year in which they reached the National Football League playoffs, knocked off the mighty New England Patriots and, no doubt, lived the high life that comes with being an NFL player.
And yet here they were, surrounded by a dirt track and high school bleachers, ready to teach a throng of youth at Joey Porter's Boot Camp.
"This is one of the better things that I do," Porter said. "The kids get to really have a lot of fun and have some interaction with NFL guys. It's neat to have a chance to put a smile on their face. You can't put a price tag on this."
Porter's fifth event seemed like a smashing success all around. Three hundred kids, age 9-15, showed up and split into groups, each headed by two Dolphins stars.
Here was Porter, showing his vivacious personality, walking around to each group and playfully ragging on kids who would walk from station to station or reach for their Gatorade.
"Come on!" he yelled. "This is a boot camp; this ain't a juice camp."
The rest of the stars were spread across the field.
Here were 2008 No. 1 NFL Draft pick Jake Long and offensive tackle Vernon Carey, showing 10-year-olds how to touch both feet down in each hole of a ladder drill.
Here was cornerback Will Allen laughing as he launched a pass in 7-on-7 drills.
Here were recognizable running backs Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown -- this time, they were doing the hitting, punishing ball-carriers with body pads as they taught them to hang on to the ball.
"It's great to do something for your teammates' charities," said Brown, fending off a couple of 9-year-olds trying to tackle him during a water break. "But it's also great to do something for kids. Give them some inspiration, something to shoot for -- all while we're having fun."
And that, Porter said, is what his version of a Boot Camp is all about.
"We just want to teach them to play football at the highest level and the right way to play it," Porter said. "But at the same time, it's about having a good time.
