WEST PALM BEACH – Growing up in Belle Glade, Cre’von LeBlanc remembers having to travel great distances to get summer football instruction.
Now in the NFL, LeBlanc wanted to ensure current Palm Beach County kids could go camping closer to home.
“In order for a high school kid or a middle school kid to get looked at, they’ve got to travel,” said LeBlanc who attended camps in Miami, Gainesville and even Louisiana as a youth. “It shouldn’t be like that. We’ve got a lot of talent here in Palm Beach County.”
Some of that talent was on display on Saturday when more than 300 kids aged 8-18 took to the fields at The King’s Academy for a free camp organized by LeBlanc.
The camp had an FAU feel. LeBlanc enlisted the help of many of his former teammates from FAU to work as instructors.
Current NFL players Brandin Bryant, Trevon Coley, Sharrod Neasman and Keith Reaser – all FAU alumni – along with Shalom Ogbonda, William Dukes, Quez Johnson, Travis Jones and Rod Huggins were among the guest coaches.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and cornerback Raekwon Williams from the current version of the Owls also attended.
“My boys came out here and supported me and helped me with the camp,” LeBlanc said. “It’s all love. I appreciate them boys.”
The players said they didn’t need much persuasion to be part of the camp.
“Cre’von’s like my little brother, so I’ve got to come support – especially since it’s helping the kids and the community,” said Reaser, a San Francisco 49er.
LeBlanc is about to kickoff his second season as a nickelback with the Chicago Bears but he’ll be keeping an eye on FAU’s progress under new coach Lane Kiffin.
“It’s great because at the end of the day you know how FAU is – we’re still in the building stage,” LeBlanc said. “I think Lane Kiffin is doing a great job with the guys and just to see it keep elevating is a beautiful thing. It’s like a flower in the concrete.”
Reaser, who helped groom LeBlanc as a defensive back, approved of the Kiffin hire.
“I was hyped,” Reaser said. “I was more excited than anybody. I know they were experienced coaches. The guys there are going to get the best coaching from any level.”
Like LeBlanc, Reaser is getting ready to head to camp. FAU doesn’t get much coverage on the west coast, but Reaser said he’s doing his best to promote the program.
“I always have guys in the locker room watching the games – cheering for them whether they are winning or losing,” he said. “I’m excited about the new coaching staff and all the buzz around the program right now. I’m definitely going to try to catch a game if I can.”
LeBlanc intends to make the camp an annual event.
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