May 14 ,2014

The Charlie Ward Mentor Leadership Football Camp was held at Washington High School on Saturday, June 14 and The Greater Pensacola Seminole Club (GPSC) was out to lend a helping hand with dozens of boys and their fathers or mentors. “Basically, it’s a father-son, mentor-mentee outing,” Ward said. “We essentially have opportunity stations for the fathers and sons or mentors and mentees to interact and do different things in a football environment”. Each station consisted of a football-related drill and a life message relating to that station. One example was the quarterback station which ran camp attendees through the steps needed for a one-step drop pass through a three-step drop pass with special emphasis on their VISION. “Focus on your steps, but keep your eyes on your GOALS. Keep your VISION forward,” Ward told the boys during the drill. After the drill, a camp counselor and pastor from the local area gave a life message about the kind of VISION and GOALS the attendees should have in their lives.

The camp included a visit from a special guest, Jameis Winston. The camp ended with the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion chatting with the campers about sports, life and goals. Winston provided the boys with solid advice such as not being discouraged if they don’t have a dad, instead “find your own motivation”, “be a leader rather than a follower”, “spend time reading”, and “don’t do things you wouldn’t do with your parents watching”. He even had a little fun with a young Florida fan while teaching the importance of never trusting a rival.

In the end, the kids were showered with door prizes, autographs, photos and a wonderful memory with these two Seminole greats!