It is time to hit the gridiron.
On Thursday, the 17th annual Legends All-Pro Football Camp takes place at Bogalusa High School.
“One of the things we try to stress to the kids is grades and going to college,” Camp Director Bruce Plummer said. “Just because you’re a good football player doesn’t mean you’re going to college. Trying to get them to understand that having good character, a good ACT score and good grades is important. I think where some kids fall short is not having the grades. The key is getting into a school and playing, then letting the scouts decide if you’re good enough to play or not.”
Plummer is a 1983 Bogalusa High School graduate, former NFL player, former scout and current Bogalusa assistant football coach.
Plummer was a defensive back who played in the NFL for five years and four teams. He played for the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.
This year’s feature coach is former Franklinton High School quarterback Terrence Magee. Magee was the quarterback on the Demons’ 2010 state championship team. After high school, Magee went to LSU and played running back for the Tigers. This year, he played for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American League Football until the league folded.
“It’s always great to have a local guy from Washington Parish just to come out because the younger kids will recognize the name Terrence Magee since he graduated recently. He’s a great kid. I asked Terrence back in January to attend the camp and he said yes,” Plummer said.
The coaching staff has plenty of Bogalusa High School ties.
Besides Plummer, the group includes the entire Bogalusa High School football coaching staff and former Bogalusa players Keltron Harry, Dominique Tillman. Zeron Williams and Stanley Pigott. Pigott also played at Jackson State University.
The rest of the staff includes, former Tulane University Terrence Jones, McDonogh No. 35 linebackers coach Cornell Roussell, former Southern Illinois University player, former college scout and former NFL scout Jerry Hardaway and former LSU and Canadian Football League player Ricardo Washington.
“I think that every coach I try to bring down to the camp has a similar situation as the kids at the camp. They worked hard enough and they had the grades to go to college and now some of them are coaching,” Plummer said.
This year’s camp is free.
It is free through a grant.
The National Football League Youth Foundation gives grants to retired NFL players who are vested in the NFL’s retirement system and who are holding a clinic in their hometowns. Current players are also eligible.
The clinic runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Camp day registration is welcome and begins at 8:30 a.m.
There are several people you can call for more information that includes Plummer at 404-606-2359, Janola Walker Jr. at 985-516-3433, Ken Martin at 985-750-2343, Robert Smith at 713-594-0702 or Debra Plummer at 985-735-1303.