Indianapolis Colts’ linebacker Darius Leonard returns home to host camp, dedicate park

LAKE VIEW, S.C. (WMBF) – Indianapolis Colts exterior linebacker Darius Leonard returned to his hometown of Lake View to host a soccer camp for 200 children and dedicate the reopening of Hilltop’s Park.

“You already know, simply attempting to the touch the following child that may be the following Darius Leonard or whoever they need to be,” mentioned Leonard.

Leonard and his charity, the Maniac Basis, held a ribbon-cutting on the park he used to play at as a child.

“I grew up taking part in basketball up there and , these issues proper there, I gotta be that one to make it a really particular, particular spot for a child to be at,” Leonard mentioned.

He needed to verify the park was a secure and pleasant place for the residents of Lake View. In the previous couple of months, the Maniac Basis has redone your entire basketball courtroom, added restrooms, out of doors lights and an out of doors playset.

“Having a slide, having a pleasant basketball courtroom so nobody will get harm. Simply need to deliver the group again out,” Leonard mentioned. “Particularly with COVID. Like I preserve mentioning COVID, however lots of people don’t go exterior and train anymore so I need to guarantee that I give them the assets to go exterior with their household or go on the market and shoot basketball or regardless of the case could also be for them.

After graduating from Lake View Excessive College, Leonard attended South Carolina State College the place he grew to become the all-time main tackler in class historical past. He’s now one of many prime linebackers within the NFL.

“I’m out right here residing that dream and seeing all of the 53s and seeing the children in my jerseys. It’s a really humble expertise to sort of see that and it makes my coronary heart smile to return again and see lots of people, particularly children, that look as much as me and need to be like me,” Leonard mentioned.

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