Over a dozen NFL
players and coaches
convene at Pioneer
for free youth camp

By ZACH SHAW

Summer Managing Sports Editor

Mighty Mike Martin has been

a hit with Michigan fans for
years.

After winning state champi-

onships in football, wrestling
and shot put at Detroit Catholic
Central, turning himself into an
All-Big Ten defensive lineman
at Michigan, then becoming a
successful Tennessee Titan, it’s
tempting to call
Mighty
Mar-

tin a hometown
hero.

But on Satur-

day, with kids
draped around
his
tree-trunk

legs and an even
wider
smile

on his face, it
wasn’t Martin’s
mightiness that
made him a hero. Instead, at the
first annual Mike Martin Youth
Football Camp, a free camp for

elementary and middle school
athletes held at Pioneer High
School, it was
Magnetic
Mike
Martin

who was mak-
ing everyone’s
day.

“He went to

a lot of these
camps
when

he was young,”
said Theresa O’Hara, Martin’s
mom. “With the men he saw
(back then), he wants to emu-
late that. Not just the qualities of
being a football player, but giv-
ing, working hard for something
and dreaming big.

“He’s got such a big heart and

is
so
person-

able. Even when
he was at Mich-
igan, he would
get right down
at the kids’ level
and would sign
their shirts and
hats. He’s got
this
magnetic

personality.”

The
camp

was complete-

ly free for Metro Detroit kids.
Growing up going to similar
camps, Martin knew how impor-

tant it was to make the camp
accessible and worthwhile.

He
bussed

campers in from
his hometown of
Redford,
talked

and signed auto-
graphs for anyone
who asked, and
made sure that
— with a dozen
NFL players help-

ing out, a full-service DJ and the
Detroit Pistons’ Flight Crew per-
forming a trampoline dunk show
— it was more than just a day at the
football field.

“The big thing for me is to get

everyone out here,” Martin said.
“At first the camp was limited to
200 kids, then we made it 300,
then we moved it to 350. It was
hard to say no, but I’m glad every-
one is having a good time, because
that’s what it’s all about.

“Trying to connect communities

and make it go full circle, bringing
all the kids together and trying to
do something good — get the kids
excited about learning new stuff
and getting to know everyone.”

Martin’s camp wasn’t the first

free youth camp held by an NFL
player, and it certainly won’t be
the last. Michigan has endorsed
giving back to the community

for years, and numerous play-
ers have taken that beyond their
time in Ann Arbor.

Nearly all of Martin’s assis-

tants on Saturday have had their
own camps or events, and they
were happy to make the trek to
Pioneer on their
own
dime
to

return the favor.

“A lot of guys

who play foot-
ball came from
bad areas or not
the best areas,
and the opportu-
nity to give back
is
huge,”
said

Taylor Lewan, a
2014 first-round
draft pick and former All-Amer-
ican offensive tackle at Michi-
gan. “If you can take one kid and
inspire him to give back to his
community someday, then you’re
helping things come full circle.”

Less than a quarter mile away

from Michigan Stadium, Martin’s
charisma had brought everyone
together. It was clear that it was a
special event for everyone.

“We can relate to a lot of the

things they’re saying because we
know the area and a bit of what
they go through,” said Brandon
Graham, a former Detroit native
and Michigan standout who cur-
rently plays for the Philadelphia
Eagles. “You might have gone to
the same schools or know some

of the same people. The conver-
sation and connection is there
because you’re from the same
place. You feel right at home.”

While drills and condition-

ing were a part of the event, the
primary focus was on inspiration

and fun. Mich-
igan
coach

Greg Mattison
was among the
many
speak-

ers, all empha-
sizing respect
and dedication
to
anything

you do. After
that, NFL stars
and kids alike
were
drawn

together for scrimmages, races
and all-around fun.

So to Magnetic Mike Martin,

it was mission accomplished.

“It’s amazing, man. I’ve gone to

other camps to help out, and I’ve
never had my own,” Martin said.
“So to turn the tables and for me
to be the guy hosting it, especially
with kids from my hometown, it
hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s
special.”

“I’ve known Mike for a long

time,” Lewan said. “Just to see
him around people, he’s always
smiling always there for every-
one, so it’s only fitting that
there’s going to be a few hundred
kids here running around and
having a blast.”

12

Thursday, June 25, 2015
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
SPORTS

DELANEY RYAN/Daily

Former Michigan and current Titans defensive linemen Mike Martin held his first Youth Football Camp, which was free for all campers.

DELANEY RYAN/Daily

Nearly 400 children from grades 3-8 participated in drills, games, and contests
at Pioneer High School during the four-hour camp dedicated to fun and football.

‘Magnetic’ Mike Martin
attracts hundreds to camp

“A lot of guys

who play

football came

from bad areas.”

“(Martin’s) just
got a magetic
personality ...
I’m so proud.”

“It hasn’t really
sunk in yet, but

it’s special.”