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It feels good to come back home because weve got a community like this that welcomes us with open arms.
What started out as an idea to give back to Muskogee while they were still in high school, became a reality on Saturday.
University of Utah quarterback Byrd Ficklin and UNLV wide receiver Kayden McGee were back in their hometown to host their first-ever Playmaker Football Camp.
This is home.
I would never call another place home like this one.
Its where I grew up, its where I live.
For me to come home and see all the kids happy just means a lot, says Utah quarterback, and former Muskogee standout, Byrd Ficklin.
More than 100 youngsters hit the field at Rougher Stadium, battling the heat to learn from the former Rougher standouts.
I think it is really a tribute to these two guys, Byrd and McGees character, and their ability to play.
And then their willingness to give back, says current Muskogee head coach Dale Condict.
The inspiration for Ficklin and McGee to give back to Muskogee started while the pair was in youth football.
We had a couple camps like Stacy McGee camp, Robert Thomas camp.
And when I got to high school we had Kamren Curl.
So just seeing those guys give back to us, its only right that we do it, says UNLV wide receiver, and former Muskogee standout, Kayden McGee.
After bouncing around several back-to-school ideas, including a backpack drive, the pair decided to put together the free camp.
Why not bring our skills to the field and teach and help the kids , so we came up with the camp, says Ficklin.
Me and Byrd knew we were going to give back.
It was just a matter of time.
When I went off to college and Byrd went off to college, when we come back were going to give back to the community.
Its always been in the process, adds McGee.
As the campers went through the drills at the various stations, that hometown pride took center stage for the Muskogee duo.
This is where I grew up.
This is where I live.
This is literally my family.
So it means the world to me to be able to do this for the kids.
Just for the whole community to come together and be loved, says Ficklin.
The smiles on the campers faces shows that Ficklin and McGees passion and calling to give back are already making a mark on the future of Muskogee.
They both have been very professional.
Theyre definitely wise beyond their years.
Just the fact that theyre here right before their season speaks volumes to how they feel about Muskogee, says Condict.