Former NFL Veteran Michael Brooks Gives Back With First Youth Football Camp in Louisiana
Former NFL player and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Michael Brooks returned to his roots on Saturday, hosting his first youth football camp at Lincoln Preparatory School in Grambling, Louisiana.
Brooks, a Ruston High School state champion and a 10-year NFL veteran, said the event was about much more than football. The camp focused on teaching young athletes valuable life skills, including discipline, teamwork, education, and accountability.
Brooks Uses Football to Inspire the Next Generation
Brooks said he wanted to create a positive environment where children could see successful role models and understand that sports can open doors to opportunities beyond the playing field.
The former NFL standout explained that football helped shape his own life by teaching discipline and the importance of working with others. He hopes the camp’s participants will apply those lessons in their daily lives, regardless of whether they pursue football professionally.
Campers wore blue and orange shirts featuring Proverbs 3:6 and participated in various drills and seven-on-seven competitions throughout the day while receiving guidance from counselors and former players.
NFL Alumni Join Brooks in Supporting Youth
Several members of Brooks’ family and fellow NFL alumni attended the event to encourage the young athletes.
Among them was Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Dalton Hilliard, one of LSU’s most accomplished running backs and a longtime friend of Brooks. Hilliard noted that professional football camps were not available to him when he was growing up and credited his coaches and teachers for helping shape his life.
He praised Brooks for using his platform to invest in young people and emphasized the importance of preparing for life after sports.
Former NFL receiver Rueben Randle also participated in the camp as a counselor. Randle recalled attending a youth camp hosted by former NFL player Booger McFarland during his childhood and said those experiences had a lasting impact on him.
Randle added that sports provided him with opportunities that changed the course of his life and expressed his appreciation for being part of an event designed to inspire young athletes.
Education and Character Were Central Themes
Throughout the camp, Brooks repeatedly stressed the importance of building a strong educational foundation and paying attention to details. He encouraged campers to be punctual, remain observant, and learn from the people around them.
According to Brooks, some of life’s greatest lessons come from carefully watching and learning from others, both on and off the field.
Proud of Ruston’s Continued Success
Brooks also expressed pride in the progress of his alma mater, Ruston High School, noting the school’s recent success in academics and athletics. The Bearcats reached state championship games in football and basketball during the previous school year and have produced standout performances in numerous sports.
Brooks credited the area’s coaches and community leaders for helping young athletes maximize their potential and believes strong mentorship continues to make a positive impact across north Louisiana.
