Hawkinsville, Ga., is home of the Red Devils.
It's also the home of Charles Johnson, a football player who learned the game in a small town, got better as a Georgia Bulldog, and now plays defensive end in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers. Johnson acknowledges he's from a small town. That isn't stopping him from doing big things at his annual summer camp, held at Hawkinsville High School.
Saturday was a big day, and a hot day, for campers at Bobby Gentry Stadium. Football players got coached up by NFL position coaches and players, and some of Johnson's former college teammates.
Outside of a football education, Johnson highlighted the importance of a college education. He also gave out two $20,000 scholarships to Hawkinsville seniors.
Johnson made a name for himself coming out of Hawkinsville, and wants to encourage young kids to do the same.
"I always give credit to where I'm from, because I wouldn't be where I'm at today if I wasn't born and raised and seen all the things I've seen just being from a small country town like Hawkinsville," said Johnson. "Hopefully, when they grow up and get out there in high school playing sports, they can try to do the same thing."
The two day camp wrapped up Saturday. This is the third year for the camp, organized by the Charles Johnson Foundation.
You can read more about the Charles Johnson foundation at its website: http://charlesjohnsonfoundation.org/
