NFL linebacker Jamin Davis hosts youth football camp on NAS Oceana

ByMC2MeganWollam

Washington Commanders linebacker

JaminDavisvisitedNavalAirStationOceana to host an NFL ProCamps event, July 11-12. The Navy Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency partnered to host the sports camp on the installation for military children

NFLProCampsgivesmilitary-connected children the unforgettable opportunity to practicefootballskillsandreceivehands-on instruction from professional athletes The camps are open to first through eighth grade family members of active-duty military, reservists, retirees, and DOD civilian employees Davis,whowasborninHonolulu,Hawaii toanArmyfamily,isnostrangertothemilitary lifestyle He has lived through the unique challenges that military children face, from family separation due to deployments tomovingtoanewdutystationevery fewyears

“A lot of people might not understand whatthesekidsgothroughonadailybasis,” Davissaid.“Iwasintheirshoesonce,soany chanceIgettogivebackandsay‘thankyou,’

Itakeit.”

Davisalsocreditshismilitaryupbringing forhelpinghimsucceedasanathlete

“A lot of my core values came from the military,especiallydiscipline,”saidDavis.“I justwanttoshowthemthatifyouworkhard andstaygrounded,anythingispossible.”

Thesportscampshaveallowedhundreds of kids to come together to share a positive andmemorableexperience

“This is a terrific way to say ‘thank you’ to our service members and their families,” saidNASOceanaCommandingOfficerCapt. SteveDjunaedi.“Asadadofthreeboys Ican tell you with absolute conviction that our military children are resilient. We ask a lot of them. That’s why events like this are so important,togivebacktoourkidswhogive ussomuchloveandsupport.”

Although it is a football camp, it is also a place for military children to connect with others who share and face the same hardshipsasthem.

“My favorite part about today was meeting new people and making new friends,” said Hayden Smith, a student at Butts Road IntermediateSchool.