This weekend I shot video for my final project for my journalism at the Jeremy Maclin Foundation‘s charity weekend held in Columbia. This was the first time Macling held the camp at his alma mater, and invited about 20 other former tigers to help lead the event.

The weekend started Friday afternoon with a trip to Boys and Girls Club of Columbia. Maclin presented a $2,000 check and signed autographs before making a second appearance at Ronald McDonald House. Many of the other NFL players, like Sean Weatherspoon and Ziggy Hood stayed to play with kinds at Boys and Girls Club. Foursquare, basketball, and chalk drawing were popular activities for both players and kids. The players seemed to really enjoy interacting with the children and each other, and looked like they were having at least as much, is not more, fun playing and joking outside. The common theme throughout my interviews was the importance of giving back to a community that gave them so much. Columbia and Mizzou football launched these players’ NFL careers.

Football camp was held Saturday morning at the Mizzou Athletic Training Center on the football practice fields. The day began with rotations of different skill tests coached by NFL players. Participants were divided into age groups and began running drills. There was definitely fun atmosphere, but the players emphasized the importance of teaching proper techniques. After a successful circuit, participants was encouraged to spike the ball and do a touch down dance. Success was rewarded with fun. From being chased and picked up to being tackled and doing push ups, the children truly received individualized attention. After all groups had gone through the rotation, the boys split up into groups based on position for more specific drills. The day ended with players signing autographs and taking pictures.