JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dream big, you might just make it.
That was the message from the Jaguars starting quarterback Blake Bortles to over 300 kids after his first annual football camp in conjunction with his foundation and the Jacksonville Police Athletic League on Saturday morning.
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Bortles, along with Jaguars wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, as well as former Jaguars receiver and current JSO officer Ernest Wilford were the counselors for the first ever camp held by the Jaguars starting quarterback. Bortles says that this is just another way to demonstrate the Jaguars culture of "connecting with the following."
"Anytime you can get out in the community and hang out with the kids, the next wave of NFL football players, young professionals and all that, you should," said Bortles as he signed autographs for the kids who participated.
Bortles went on to say that the goal of the camp was for the kids to get a little football and some life lessons mixed in.
"I just wanted these kids to come out and have a good time, get out and sweat, run around a little. Hopefully they will get some practice in and maybe learn a little something."
It wasn't too long ago that Bortles was a camper at several football camps growing up in the Orlando area, something that he has not forgotten as he hosted his first camp Saturday.
"I was doing the same thing they are 10 years ago, so to see these kids out here running around, having fun sweating, it's cool. I mean, it was me not too long ago."
After the weekend off, Bortles and the Jaguars return to the practice fields for veterans mini-camp next Tuesday for three days, the first two are open to the public.