This camp, held last Saturday, gave kids a chance to meet successful football players that made it to the NFL who had come out of Hernando County. Both Tyrone Goodson and Dujuan Harris “Foxx” graduated from Central High School a little more than a decade apart. They both wanted to give back to the community from which they were from. These role models imparted their wisdom to the boys attending the camp.
Tyrone played receiver for Auburn University and still holds some receiving records there. He went undrafted but was signed to a Rams practice squad. He was picked up by the Green Bay Packers the next year and played for them. He had several knee injuries that ended his career.
Tyrone explained his philosophy, it takes dedication and hard work to make it to the next level. You don’t have to make it in football because it’s a very low percentage. You do the best you can do at what you are doing. He wants to impart the importance of dedication and hardwork through his football camp.
Dujuan Harris played running back for Troy University in Alabama for four years. He then also went undrafted, but managed to play with a number of NFL teams over his career including the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco Forty Niners. He was in the Forty Niners locker room to welcome another Hernando County High School alum Matt Breida (Nature Coast) to the NFL.
Dujuan described his motivation, just making sure they’re doing the right stuff. We have the experience and passing that on is just awesome.
A camper performing running back drills lowered his head to deliver a hit to a tackling dummy and everything stopped, so that the kids could be shown the safe way to deliver the hit.
The kids who attended the camp received pointers from coaches and former NFL players. They also learned that people from their area had made it to the NFL which makes the dream more attainable. These athletes not only shared their time but worked with the kids in drills making sure that the children were learning how to safely deliver a hit.
In addition to skills and inspiration the kids went home with mementos including a shirt with pictures of Tyrone Goodson and Dujuan Harris from their days with the Green Bay Packers. The kids also took individual photos with the former NFL players. The camp was free for the kids.
The camp was put together by the Shady Hills Hurricanes Youth Football. They are part of the Pop Warner league and play a little way south of Hernando in Pasco. The team is made up of kids from Spring Hill and Pasco. Tyrone also sponsored the camp through his foundation Tyrone Goodson Youth and Sports Programs, Inc.
Through the football camp, young players learning the game were given wisdom from experienced players who made it to the highest levels of football, but were once local kids just like them. Meeting and receiving guidance from these approachable former NFL players will be something that many of the kids will treasure for the rest of their lives.
