From Folsom to the pros: NFL players pay It forward
FOLSOM, Calif. (KTXL) — Three former Folsom High School standouts returned home Saturday to host their third annual 'Bulldogs Back Home' youth football camp, giving back to the community that helped launch their football careers.
Jake Browning (Cincinnati Bengals), Jonah Williams (Arizona Cardinals), and Josiah Deguara (Arizona Cardinals) welcomed local kids to Vista Del Lago High School for a free, half-day camp filled with drills, games, and mentorship.
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'What I like about this camp is I get to be around some of the up-and-coming younger kids for Folsom and also catch up with old friends,' said Browning. 'We bring the past, present, and future of Folsom football together in one camp.'
The camp drew kids from third through eighth grade. While Browning and Deguara worked alongside participants on general skill development, Williams led an offensive line station that became an unexpected hit.
'We do some O-line drills, and it kind of takes a lot of kids out of their comfort zone,' Williams said. 'Not a lot of kids want to play O-line, but they always end up having fun. We get some good competition with the races at the end.'
Deguara brought the energy, joking about a young camper who challenged him to a footrace. 'I was like, I don't know about that today,' he said with a laugh. 'And the kid goes, 'Yeah, you're too slow for me anyway.' These kids are pretty cocky nowadays, I respect that confidence.'
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For the pros, the camp was less about fine-tuning technique and more about creating lasting memories.
'Just throwing the ball around with the kids that's what they want,' Deguara said. 'Teach them when you can, but the main thing is having fun.'
Browning, who quarterbacked Folsom to a state title before starring at Washington and later reaching the AFC Championship Game with the Bengals, marveled at the talent in attendance.
'I'm always surprised,' he said. 'You ask a kid how old they are, they say nine, and I'm thinking, 'I don't think I was that good at nine.' These kids are really advanced.'
Even some sideline banter reminded the players of how quickly time moves.
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'We were talking about touchdown celebrations,' Williams said. 'I tried to get them to do the gritty, and they told me that's not cool anymore. That's when I realized, I'm officially a grandpa.'
The NFL trio plans to continue the annual tradition and keep inspiring the next wave of local athletes in Folsom.
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