Voie Commentary: Seahawks and High School Athletes Act as Humble Role Models at Football Clinic

Posted

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the “KJ Wright & Friends” youth football clinic this event at the NW Sports Hub past Saturday, in the heart of Centralia’s own historic Fort Borst Park, as a member of the Thorbeckes sponsor team. I spent the afternoon taking in the event, while also capturing photos and video, and talking with the coordinators, coaches and staff.

Centralia assistant high school football coach and event co-coordinator Jonathan Meyer introduced me to Gee Scott, of ESPN 710 Seattle, KIRO 97.3 Radio and host of “Touchdown City” for the Seattle Seahawks, who would be emcee. Scott also brought along his own son, Gee Scott Jr. 

Gee Scott Jr. is an All-American rated receiver, currently in his high school sophomore year at Eastside Catholic in Sammamish, Washington. Scott is also a member of the Elite FSP 7v7 select football team at Ford Sports Performance in Bellevue, Washington, under the nationally-known Tracy Ford, CEO of Ford Sports, who was also in attendance for the Centralia event.

Seattle Seahawks KJ Wright and Mike Morgan — both obviously accomplished professional athletes — were also there to headline and coach the event.

Somewhere around 200 kids registered and attended, ages flag (kindergarten) to eighth grade. It was so fun to watch their reactions upon seeing these sports and athletics figures. Even more incredible — and precious — was seeing Wright standing next to some of the smallest football players in attendance.

There were about a dozen stations set up around the turf at the NW Sports Hub during the event and athletes rotated in groups on a timed schedule. Wright and Morgan floated between each station throughout the event. Wright often pulled kids aside to talk with them one-on-one, helping them perfect their form and fundamental movements.

When Wright wasn’t coaching, he was high-fiving kids as he walked throughout the camp.

It was so heartwarming to see a professional athlete get on the same level with our local student athletes — from teams all over Lewis County and southwest Washington. Wright was soft-spoken, warm and approachable, offering positive words of wisdom and encouragement throughout the camp. He was everything that you expect a true, humble role model to be.

Of course, while it was amazing to meet all these wonderful professionals, to me the most impressive part of the entire event was the Centralia High School football players — and Gee Scott Jr. — who were on-hand at the event to lead the group drills at each station.

Coverage by Matt Baide of The Chronicle included a quote from Centralia High School Coach Jeremy Thibault — one that he had expressed to me personally at the event as well — that gave me a small window into who these young men were.

“These kids here are the kids who have mostly attended all of our weight-room sessions or the three sport players that have attended during breaks so they’ve earned this opportunity to be here,” Thibault said.

But it was more than just that … these high school kids — and, again, I include Gee Scott Jr. here — were just flat impressive. They carried themselves with energy and excitement, and demonstrated positive, engaging leadership throughout the camp.

Often when we see today’s high school-aged youth reported in the news, it’s not for the greatest reasons. And, today’s TV and media options don’t always portray teens in the most flattering light, either.



These high school athletes were everything that give us hope for the future of our communities. They were directly engaged. Their body language communicated that they were excited to be at the camp — that they were really focusing on the kids. Not once did I see any of these high school student athletes and leaders falter. They were flawless.

Even when KJ Wright or Mike Morgan stepped in to do drills and exercises alongside these students — they remained calm, focused and intent on their purpose. Gee Scott Jr., an athlete with multiple D1 athletics offers, demonstrated incredible patience and humility, and exuded warmth toward all the kids involved.

It was truly an experience that the kids — and adults and parents who stayed to watch — will never forget. The event was everything the organizers had hoped for and then some.

Gee Scott, the emcee, really summed it up best in the closing ceremonies of the event, telling the Tiger Football team: “One last thing before we close out the camp — a round of applause for the Centralia High School Football team. I gotta tell you, this camp was efficient because of you … your effort was phenomenal. Thank you.”

Truly, thank you, high school athletes. This event would not have happened without your willingness to step up and lead in your community. A tip of the hat for a job well done.

Mark your calendars for the next Seattle Seahawks Football Camp, this time with Justin Britt, in Tenino at Beaver Stadium (the only black turf field in Washington State!) on April 22. Go to justinbritt68.com/camps/ for additional information.

•••

Brittany Voie is a columnist for The Chronicle. 

Event Highlights

Closing Comments from Gee Scott & KJ Wright