By Scott Rossman

SPRINGFIELD, FL. You hear athletes and celebrities talk often about “giving something back” to the communities that helped make them what they are.

Well for Anthony Kelly, who grew up in Campbellton, and graduated Graceville, before moving on to the University of Kentucky and now the Chicago Bears front office, this is how he “gives back.”

Kelly hosting the 6th C.H.A.M.P. camp, a football clinic for area youngsters. Kelly brings in area coaches, like Rob Armstrong, who coached Anthony years ago at Graceville, and is now the head coach at Rutherford.

That campus hosting the camp this time around.
Nearly 300 kids signing up and taking part in the camp, and along with learning about football, get a dose of character, heart, attitude, motivation and pride, or CHAMP for short.

“Obviously, it’s always special for me to be able to come back home and do this camp. When I look at these kids, I see myself. So we’re always grateful to be able to give back in a manner, to especially the kids in this area. I tell people all the time, it’s the C.H.A.M.P. Camp, not Champ’s Camp. So it has nothing to do with me and there’s no more proof than to watch these kids out here, running around, getting better.”

Rutherford and Georgia alum, and NFL veteran Will Witherspoon, who played for the Panthers, Titans, Eagles and Rams, also on hand for the camp. This the second straight year Witherspoon has also been on hand to dole out some advice and instruction of his own.