Brandin Cooks, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and Stockton native, made a heartwarming return to his hometown this past weekend, hosting his annual youth football camp at Lincoln High School, his alma mater. The event, which took place on Sunday, drew in approximately 750 young athletes, marking its largest turnout since its inception in 2021.
The camp catered to children aged 7-14 and offered them a day full of football activities, skills training, and fun, all under the guidance of Cooks and other visiting NFL players, including fellow 209-native and Dallas Cowboys cornerback, Daron Bland. The emphasis was on teaching the young attendees valuable football techniques, particularly in route running and interception skills.
Cooks expressed his deep connection to the community, stating, "It feels amazing obviously when you can come back and be in your community and give back. This is a place that means so much to me and the community helped raise me so I’m glad to be able to come back.”
The event was made accessible to all, thanks to partnerships with organizations like He Gets Us. Free entry and bus transportation were provided for kids from underserved areas of Stockton, ensuring that no one missed out on the opportunity.
Lincoln High School's football staff and players, alongside Cooks and Bland, managed the three-hour camp, which was followed by a family-friendly carnival on the school campus. Lincoln’s head coach, Terrance Hampton, highlighted the family atmosphere at the camp, mentioning the close ties between the Cooks family and the Lincoln football program.
As the camp wrapped up, the community's spirit was palpable, with participants sporting navy-colored ‘Brandin Cooks Youth Football Camp’ shirts, turning Lincoln High's football field into a bustling hub of excitement and familial joy.
Brandin Cooks looks forward to continuing his NFL career, entering his 11th season and his second with the Cowboys as the new season approaches on September 5.
