The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation recently partnered with the Muñoz Agency to host the area's second NFL Play 60 Character Camp.
Nearly 300 local youth took part in the NFL Play 60 Character Camp on Friday at FedExField.
The camp, hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz and the Muñoz Agency, was the second of two Character Camp events held in the D.C. region this offseason.
Ryan Betscher, Chief Operating Officer for the Muñoz Agency, started the idea of Character Camps in 2011 and has overseen more than 60 camps in five years.
"NFL Play 60 Character Camps are a very important program," said Betscher. "They are designed to introduce kids to the game of football, teach them the importance of healthy living and nutrition and to equip the children with essential life skills to allow them to be successful no matter what they are involved in."
The camp began with local Heads Up Football certified coaches leading students through offensive position stations including drills for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and offensive linemen.
Redskins Alumni Gary Clark and Ravin Caldwell took part in the event by participating in different drills and flag football scrimmages and sharing the importance of character building with the students.
"One of the key things I can stress to you guys is how important it is for you to keep your grades up," said Caldwell during his Character speech to the group of on-looking students. "Lots of college coaches wanted me to play for them, but their biggest concern was how good my grades were."
Caldwell and Clark both know about what it takes to be successful on and off the field, as they were teammates during the 1987 and 1991 Super Bowl winning seasons for the Redskins.
The event concluded with students putting their football and character skills to the test as they participated in fitness competitions, team building activities and seven-on-seven flag football scrimmages.
The D.C. area has been a focal point for the Muñoz Agency this year, as this event hosted students from local Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters DC, Identity Youth, Latin American Youth Center, Latino Student Fund, and Capitol Heights Elementary School.
"We have partnered with the Redskins to impact the kids in the D.C. region and give them a special experience at FedExField that they will remember for the rest of their lives," said Betscher. "Our hope is they will take what they learned here today and apply it to the rest of their lives; Living healthy lives, making a positive impact on society and being lifelong Washington Redskins fans."
