Ed McCaffrey's camp to come to Mullen

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Former Bronco and new UNC head coach will host his annual youth gathering June 22-25 on campus; safety precautions in place to keep it running.
Fact is, Ed McCaffrey, the very popular, former Denver Broncos wide receiver, certainly wanted to continue his annual football camp for youths.

It’s just that the pandemic caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) was either going to cancel it, postpone it or modify it.

Turns out it is modified. So his Sports Eddy “Open” Football Camp will happen from June 22-25 with Mullen serving as host.

“We’re so thankful that Mullen (officials have) allowed us to use their facilities to run our football camp this year,” McCaffrey said on Friday.

Of course, McCaffrey, in his first season as head coach of Northern Colorado in Greeley, said he and his team of camp leaders are prepared and in multiple ways.

“We have assured them that we’re working with the proper authorities to provide a safe atmosphere,” he said.

Safe practices, encouragement from parents and the need for young people to return to physical fitness in the game they love clinched McCaffrey’s commitment as a slow, determined move toward regular activities continues.

“We’ll follow COVID-19 guidelines, but, really, we’re excited kids want to resume some form of a new normal, get outside, and compete and have some fun,” he said. “I think it’s incredibly important for young athletes’ mental and emotional well-being, and as I worked out my sons, who have now returned to school, I realized more and more the importance of getting outside in an attempt to practice and practice social distancing, which encouraged me to have our camp even while we are trying to safely return to work and sports.

“I’ve had so many parents encourage me to have the camp this summer because kids have been quarantined for a long time and been unable to interact in safe way with teammates … there’s an incredible demand and desire for kids and parents to go and work out and engage in physical activity provided it’s a safe environment.”

Mullen principal Jeff Howard concurred: "We are really excited to host the McCaffrey Camp this summer. They have done all kinds of planning to ensure the safety of their participants, just like we are doing as we return our students to campus this summer. Mullen is built for students. It will be great to have kids back on campus and to have them back safely. While this summer is going to look different from others, the McCaffrey Camp is a terrific kickoff for us. They are doing it right. We are, too."

New Mustangs football head coach Jeremey Bennett said “this is huge for us, huge for our marketing. I’ll use the word ecstatic … to have this kind of long-running football camp come to our campus is outstanding for the Mullen community and the people there, including Christian (McCaffrey, the star running back for the Carolina Panthers) and the elite players, are really something.

“It also gives us an opportunity to showcase who we are … it shows we are still Mullen off Lowell Boulevard, big things are still going on at our place.”

The camp, which was first instituted in 2010 and has expanded in various areas, will occur each of the four days from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Participants ages 8-15 will have speed and skills training, compete in 7-on-7, will have their skills tested, hear from high-end guest speakers and have opportunities for autographs.

McCaffrey’s sons each were Colorado schoolboy stars: Max, a wide receiver who also played at Duke, had stints with five NFL teams and is the receivers coach for his father with the Bears; Christian, also an All-America at Stanford and finalist for the Heisman Trophy; Dylan, a quarterback entering his senior season at Michigan; and Luke, a redshirt freshman quarterback at Nebraska.

“I’m really thankful to Coach Bennett and the Mullen administration,” Ed McCaffrey said.

Below is a link to the camp’s website for registration:
 
 
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