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Sports

Eagles' Fokou Brings Rockville Free Football Camp

NFL star kicks off his nonprofit, Root 53 Foundation, in his hometown.

Young athletes looking for inspiration need go no further than this weekend, where up to 20 NFL players will be on hand for a day of free instruction, programming and giveaways.

The inaugural Root 53 Foundation Football Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Organizers expect about 180 sixth- through eighth-graders to take advantage of the event, said Neal Owens, head football coach at Richard Montgomery High School.

The camp will serve as a kickoff event for Root 53 Foundation, a nonprofit recently started by Rockville native and NFL player Moise Fokou, who currently plays linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Fokou is an alumnus of Bullis School in Potomac, as well as Frostburg State University and the University of Maryland in College Park.  His foundation received a grant from the NFL to help pay for the camp, which also will provide young players with lunch, a free T-shirt, souvenirs, and autographs, Owens said.

Other NFL players are expected to attend, including Vernon Davis of the 49ers, Vontae Davis of the Dolphins and Muhammed Wilkerson of the Jets, Owens said.

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“We’re really looking forward to it,” Owens said. “Kids can have fun and use this great facility … Hopefully everything goes well and they’ll want to go back next year.”

The day will consist of exercise and competition. Participants will receive general instruction and then be split into groups based on position and run through six to eight skill stations, Owens said.

Owen said officials are aware that temperatures are expected to surpass the 100-degree mark.

“Because of the weather on Saturday, we’re going to try to limit the strenuous activity outside,” Owens said.

For more information, visit the Root 53 Foundation website.

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