KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- LeGarrette Blount, Philadelphia Eagles running back, hosted a Pro Camp and 7x7 football tournament July 8 and 9 here.
The event was open to Team Keesler and local high school and college-level athletes.
“Participants were able to sign up for the two-day flag football tournament and receive guidance from a professional football player,” said Bill Conley, Pro Camp director. “He also had a booth at the Keesler commissary to sign autographs and take photos with fans.”
Attendees were able to compete while getting guidance from Blount, two-time Super Bowl champion, 2016 NFL rushing touchdowns leader and 2009 Pac-10 champion.
“It’s amazing to come out and see these guys out here doing the things they love,” said Blount. “It’s fun for me to participate with them. I enjoy it a lot.”
Blount started his football career at East Mississippi Community College and became one of the highest ranked junior college prospects by the end of his sophomore year. Though he is not a Mississippi native, Blount said he was excited to come back to Mississippi to pass on some of the skills he has learned since becoming a professional football player while giving back to the armed forces.
“The military sometimes doesn’t get as much appreciation as they should so whenever I get the chance to do something for the military I take full advantage of it,” said Blount. “My dad and most of the people on his side of the family were in the military so I hold our military personnel close to my heart. I appreciate Keesler for having me out here and it’s awesome to be back in Mississippi after being gone for such a long time.”
Each team that played during the tournament was able to play a game with Blount as their quarterback. This gave them the chance to get hands-on professional training while Blount scouted for the overall best players of the event.
“I’ve was looking at some individual players throughout the camp,” said Blount. “You can tell they know what they are doing and know how to play the game.”