NFL foundation donates $1 Million for free youth football camps led by over 400 players and coaches
Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
All across the country this summer, hundreds of NFL players, coaches, and legends are trading game plans for community huddles. Thanks to nearly $1 million in funding from the NFL Foundation, more than 400 members of the league's extended family will host free youth football camps—giving kids, especially in underserved areas, a safe space to learn, run, and just be kids.
The initiative isn't new, but its reach and purpose feel more meaningful than ever.
NFL stars bring free football camps to underserved communities through $1 million NFL foundation initiative
For more than two decades, the NFL Foundation has quietly powered one of the league's most grassroots initiatives—summer football camps that cost families nothing and offer something priceless in return. These non-contact camps aren't about producing the next MVP; they're about introducing kids to football, teamwork, and active play in a low-pressure, high-energy environment.
'The more than 400 NFL players, legends and coaches who are hosting free youth football camps this summer are great ambassadors for our game,' said Alexia Gallagher, NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation. 'We are excited to see the impact they'll make in communities across the country this year and beyond.'
Names like
Arik Armstead
,
Mike Evans
,
Jeffery Simmons
,
DK Metcalf
, and
Aaron Donald
are among those stepping up to lead camps in their communities.
Armstead, the Jaguars defensive lineman and 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, is heading back to his hometown of Sacramento.
'Throughout my career, I've made it my mission off the field to empower youth by providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive,' Armstead said. 'All children deserve access to safe places where they can play and grow, and I'm proud to create that space for Sacramento youth this summer.'
Alongside these camps, the Foundation partners with USA Football to roll out First Down Clinics—a free intro to football focused on age-appropriate basics. In 2024 alone, over 60,000 kids participated in more than 300 clinics tied to major NFL events.
Whether it's through these camps, the year-round PLAY 60 initiative, or programs like Character Playbook, the NFL Foundation has quietly become a force for good in communities nationwide. With over $1 billion in lifetime giving, this summer's effort is another reminder that the league's biggest plays sometimes happen far from the field.
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