May 25, 2013
News
NFL Star Holds Macon Camp
Rick Devens
Central Georgia has cranked out NFL prospects at an astounding rate over the years. Saturday former Westside star, Kareem Jackson, brought some knowledge from the pro's back to his hometown.
Kareem Jackson rushed for 1,000 yards his senior season at Westside. He went on to play cornerback at the University of Alabama and now Jackson starts in the Houston Texans Secondary.
Saturday at his old stomping grounds Jackson held his first football camp.
"I know how the kids feel, wanting to see NFL guys, and being excited to have something to do," says Kareem Jackson, NFL Cornerback.
Jackson's happy to give back at Westside, a place he feels prepared him for the success he's having now.
"In the classroom, you know, it definitely set me up there. Being that my mom was teacher, she definitely stayed on me with my grades and stuff. On the field, Coach Robert Davis and Coach Spoon always stayed on me. They coached me hard. For me to turn out the way I did, I just wanted to come out here and give back some of the things I learned. And kind of instill that in the kids today" says Jackson.
Jackson mentions his former coach, Robert Davis, a local legend. I asked, how does he compare to Alabama's Nick Saban?
"I kind of say they're the mini-Nick Sabans. They're definitely going to coach you hard. They're going to expect a lot out of you. You know you're going to learn a lot. From fundamentals to the deeper parts of football, as far as watching film and stuff people don't see behind the scenes. So, playing for those guys was definitely an advantage for me," says Jackson.
The first ever Kareem Jackson Football Camp had a terrific turnout and our local football hero wants to make it an annual event.
"Come out and give the kids something to look forward to every year. So they can come out and have fun and compete against each other. Hopefully someday one of these kids will be successful. You know, graduating from High School, and go to college, and possibly make the NFL as well," says Jackson.
