Youth in Key West and the Lower Keys enjoyed a preseason football camp on Feb. 4 at Truman Waterfront Park. NFL free agent and former Carolina Panthers tight end Colin Thompson headed the clinic, which was offered free of charge to Keys kids interested in improving their football skills. Thompson was joined by fellow NFL tight ends Ian Thomas and Stephen Sullivan, linebacker Brandon Chubb and Carolina Panthers offensive assistant coach Jody Owens. Joining the Panthers’ crew were Key West’s own Mekhi Sargent, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and fellow former Key West football standouts Alvin Howard, Dorian Cannon, Zach Hughes and Carson Hughes.
The day campers participated in a variety of drills and stations, focusing on perfecting techniques in blocking, running, evasive moves, catching and other nuances of the game.
Thompson’s family has vacationed in the Keys for years and now runs several businesses in Key West. He said his family has felt so welcome in Key West that he offered the camp to give back to a community that he has grown to love.
