Article and Photography by Cheryl Clanton
Free food. Live DJ. Free football camp. NFL players. You couldn’t go wrong last Saturday July 13, 2019 at Ernie Wever Youth Park in Brooksville, FL. NFL Tyrone Goodson, HYL coach Fabian Burnett Sr. and the USA Football organization desired to give back to the Hernando County sporting community through a free fundamental football camp. The camp featured special guests – NFL Darren Hambrick and Bill Saffore with VertiMax (a sports training equipment company).
Tyrone Goodson and Fabian Burnett Sr. grew up in the same neighborhood, Tanglewood Apartments in Brooksville, back in the eighties. Playing football was mandatory. Tyrone Goodson went to Central High, graduating in 1991. Fabian Burnett is a Leopard- graduating from Hernando High in 1996. Fabian remarked that Tyrone Goodson is like a big brother to him. Their families were close. “His family always treated myself and my sisters as family,” said Burnett. Burnett’s son, Fabian Burnett Jr. is currently the starting quarterback at Nature Coast Technical High School. It’s his senior year.
Both Goodson and Burnett are college graduates, Burnett attended Saint Leo University and Goodson attended Auburn University. Both gentlemen are dedicated to sports and life skills, fundamentals of the game, to motivate and direct children toward a positive future. A lot of great young athletes reside in the Hernando community and great names have come out of the area.
“Myself and Tyrone want to give the kids all the advantages possible,” said Fabian Burnett. Burnett previously hosted a camp in Ocala in 2016 for Tyrone Goodson through USA Football that was a success. Fabian Burnett has been running camps and involved with HYL for thirteen years in various locations throughout Brooksville. He has some notable achievements as the defensive coordinator for Team Tampa FBU National Champions and head coach of the Brooksville Saints 7 on 7 travel teams; ages 18 & up and 15 & up. Fabian Burnett stated his coaching philosophy is that it will take blood, sweat and tears to be successful in football and that will transfer into life skills.
Tyrone Goodson Youth and Sports Programs Inc. was established as a 501c3 a non-profit organization in 2013. Ten years earlier, Tyrone Goodson, was all time leader in receptions at Auburn University. He played professional football with the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams and Green Bay Packers. Goodson is based in Ocala, but plans to bring the camp to Hernando County at least once a year. Kristy Powell, the organization’s CEO said that it goes beyond sports for this 501c3. For the past few years, on Christmas Eve, the organization loads a trailer full of gifts to deliver to a low income apartment complex. The gifts are for children 18 years and under. She said that the gifts are always a complete surprise as the families are only told that it’s a Christmas Eve event going on in their parking lot.
NFL Darren Hambrick is from Lacoochee, FL and went to Pasco High. Hambrick has been helping youth football players in and around Dade City. Hambrick was a special guest at the camp on Saturday July 13.
I got the opportunity to meet with Bill Saffore with Vertimax Resistance Training. Saffore brought with him VertiMax equipment for the kids and parents to try out for free.
“They need explosive speed and strength to excel,” Bill Saffore stated. He says this equipment and the right training regime could make that happen. Saffore offers private lessons that are very affordable.
There are many opportunities for Hernando County athletes right here in our very own community. Never give up your dream.
Facebook and Website links: Facebook: Tyrone Goodson Youth and Sports Programs, Inc
Facebook: Hernando Youth League Football – HYL
https://usafootball.com/programs/fundamentals
Facebook: Saffore Speed & Strength ( Bill Saffore with VertiMax)
