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.”

