Military children attend 49ers linebackers' two-day football camp

Published June 24, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Approximately 250 children, ages 7 to 14, participated in the Patrick Willis Football ProCamp at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, June 15 and 16, half of them being military children from the local area.

The camp was a two-day event which had various stations, specialized to hone the fundamental skills of football.

"It warms my heart seeing the kids out here," said Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49er's All-Pro linebacker. "I'm truly appreciative of our fans and families who support us."

The dedication and commitment of the coaching staff was apparent during the event.

"I love to coach," said Bobby Boyd, ProCamp coach. "I do it for the kids and I don't believe there's a better way to spend Father's Day weekend than with my boy and coaching football."

Boyd's son said he had lots of fun participating in the football camp and hanging out with his dad.

It was Boyd's second Patrick Willis Football ProCamp and fourth ProCamp he has coached, he said.

I'm very proud of the military. I had two uncles who are Vietnam veterans and I'm grateful to coach the children of those who serve, Boyd said.

It was fun playing with all the kids my age because a lot of the kids were like me with military families, said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kris Bankston's, 63rd Regional Support Command, Moffet Field, Calif., nine-year-old son, who participated in the camp

His favorite part of the camp was the scrimmage at the end of the day.
Gilroy native Patty Gutierrez, a Gold Star wife of America, was happy about the camp her two sons attended, she said.

"Events like these lift up morale and provide an outlet for them; it reminds them they are not forgotten," Gutierrez said. "It means a lot."