DeSean Jackson At Vacaville Inspiring Youth
VACAVILLE, CA – Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver and potent kick return specialist DeSean Jackson spent Thursday delivering words of inspiration to the youth of Vacaville.
Jackson, the former Cal-Berkeley standout will hold his inaugural youth football camp at Vacaville Christian High School this weekend and arrived a day early to volunteer his time within the community.
Jackson, along with his brother Byron made appearances at Travis Air Force Base spending time with soon to be deployed troops and then spoke to a group of youth football players and their families at the Vacaville Christian High School.
Both DeSean and Byron spoke to kids and parents about making good choices and life decisions on and off the field.
“We just want to help these kids in life beyond sports”, DeSean told News10. “Just give them a vision to be motivated to be successful in life.”
DeSean’s popularity and fame has grown since making it to the NFL in 2008. Now a two-time Pro-Bowler, he realized he can have a huge impact on kids as a role model and calls it “a blessing” to be able to interact with them.
Together, DeSean and Byron created a program called Sports Rhythms Athletic Skills Development where they base their message off of five core principles – desire, dream, vision, believe, and power.
DeSean credits those values, and the guidance from Byron and his late father, who passed away in 2009, for keeping him away from negative influences growing up in rough neighborhoods in Southern California.
The Jackson brothers will spread their message and also work with youth football players in grades 3-12 this Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vacaville Christian High School. Registration and orientation begins Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. and slots still remain available.
By Sean Cunningham, SCunningham@News10.net Twitter: @News10Sean
News10/KXTV