Texas Ex Jahdae Barron empowers Austin youth at first annual football camp

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Texas Ex and Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron gave back to his hometown Saturday hosting the first Jahdae Barron Youth Camp.

The free event staged at Del Valle High School was open to kids aged 6-18. Barron said that he created this camp to give back to the community that helped build him into who he is today.

“I wish growing up I went to more camps like this in the city for people that were in the same position as me,” Barron said. “I’m truly blessed to be in a situation to give back.”

Also attending the camp were other pro and college football players, many of them being fellow Longhorn alums including Miami Dolphins safety Michael Taaffe, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy and Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba.

During the two-hour event, kids were separated into groups based on their age, participating in a multitude of football-specific drills. At the end of the camp, everyone gathered together to face off in sprint races, and one-on-one drills in hopes of winning a signed football from Barron himself.

Only two out of hundreds of kids won the grand prize, but everyone left the field a winner after lining up to take pictures and have personal items signed by some of their favorite football stars.

The camp may have featured lots of competition on the field, but ultimately, Barron wanted to emphasize to campers the importance of life outside of football.

“I told the kids it’s more about who you are off the field. At the end of the day, I can’t play ball forever… I want people to look at me as a person not a player,” Barron said. “They just need to know that y’all are humans, and just care about how you treat people throughout life.”

The 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner (awarded to college football’s best defensive back) is planning on making the camp an annual gathering, while also hosting a separate outing in the Denver area.

Now, Barron and company have a few weeks to rest up, before heading their separate ways in July to begin NFL training camp.