Football pro and TJ Alum hosts football and cheer camp.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
When it comes to football, nothing is bigger than the NFL. TJ is fortunate enough to be hosting the Derrick Martin Youth Sportsfest this weekend. Derrick Martin is a former TJ Spartan who had earned All-Colorado and All-State Class 5A honors and was named the MVP of the Denver Prep 5A League. In college at the University of Wyoming, Martin earned the All-Mountain West Conference 2nd team honors as a sophomore. Martin was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2006 in the sixth round, and was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 2009, where he is one of the Packers’ special teams captains today. Martin has returned to Thomas Jefferson to host this free football and cheer-leading camp for students in first through eighth grade.
Marcus Smith of the Baltimore Ravens, Pierre Garcon and Devin Moore of the Indianapolis Colts, Trevor Ford and Brad Jones of the Green Bay Packers are a few NFL superstars who will be hosting this camp. On Friday night, Martin and his NFL friends will participate in a celebrity bowling challenge and silent auction at Monaco Lanes starting at 6:00 p.m. For the group that has the greatest participation in the bowling challenge, $200 will be given to them as a reward. “Derrick Martin donates a lot to this school – not just the athletic department – and it’s good they’re giving back to the community,” said Athletic Director Lani Nobles.
Martin’s flyer for the free football clinic states: “…whether you are an experienced player or just starting football, this NON-CONTACT clinic is an experience you will never forget. During the clinic, the NFL players will teach you the same offensive and defensive techniques they are taught in the pros. You will definitely leave a better player than when you came. It’s FREE and enrollment is limited to the first 150 participants, so register today!” Furthermore, it states that the cheer clinic, “…concentrates on basic cheer-leading skills including jumps, motions, and tumbling. No previous cheer-leading experience is necessary. It’s FREE and enrollment is limited to the first 50 participants, so register today!”
Participants can register online at DerrickMartin.net and if there are any questions, contact Coach Tim Owens. “This is our third year hosting it. They’re trying to get kids to come out and play, which is why it’s only for first through eighth grade kids,” said Owens. The Derrick Martin Youth Sportsfest will be taking place on May 21-22 at Thomas Jefferson High School.
