May 18, 2013
NFL Star Holds Hometown Camp
Rick Devens
Charles Johnson racked up nine sacks last year for the Carolina Panthers and this weekend he's showing off his hometown, Hawkinsville, to other players from around the NFL.
"I'm a country boy at heart. They country boys too so they already know what it is. But it's all entertainment and for the love of the kids. Those guys could be anywhere else but they're out here participating with the kids," says Charles Johnson, Defensive End for the Carolina Panthers.
In high school Charles Johnson was making plays at Bobby Gentry Stadium. He helped lead the Red Devils to a State Championship. Now that Johnson has found success in the NFL, he's back in Hawkinsville making players.
"You got to show love for where you're from. My motivation is to try and get kids back into sports down here. Sports have been falling off in my hometown for a minute so I'm just trying to motivate kids to come back out. Get off the streets and participate in sports," says Johnson.
Johnson put together a two day sports camp, free to kids in the area. Friday, local athletes learned fundamentals and rubbed elbows with the Pro's.
"That's a big inspiration for me because I play football too. And I want to grow up to be like him, and come from a place like this, and then get so far like he made it," says Jacquez King, a camp participant.
But the camp is not all fun and games, Johnson does have a word of warning for Central Georgia Falcons fans.
"We going to be good. I'll tell you that much. A lot of people don't know about the Panthers but as of this year we will be good. And I'll back that up," says Johnson.
