Three NFL Alumni Return to Minneapolis North on Juneteenth to Host Free Sports Performance Camp for the Next Generation
MSR sports columnist Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald reports on a free Juneteenth Sports Performance Camp at Minneapolis North Community High School hosted by three North alumni now in the NFL, Omar Brown of the Miami Dolphins, Bobby Jamison-Travis of the New York Giants and Tyler Johnson of the Dallas Cowboys, drawing more than 50 youth participants with plans to make the camp an annual tradition.
On a partly cloudy Juneteenth Friday, June 19, at Minneapolis North Community High School, Solana Anderson was beaming with pride as she greeted youth at a football camp.
“This isn’t just a football camp,” Anderson said. “It’s more than that.”
Anderson was pointing out the fact that the free three-hour camp was hosted by North alumni who not only helped transform the football program into a state power, but are now making their mark in the NFL.
Safety Omar Brown (Miami Dolphins and Anderson’s son), defensive lineman Bobby Jamison-Travis (New York Giants) and wide receiver Tyler Johnson (Dallas Cowboys) made the commitment to host the free Sports Performance Camp for local youth.
The camp provided speed and agility training, mentorship, coaching from TRIA GameFace performance coaches, guest professional athletes and a free lunch for participants.
The camp’s creators come with quite the resume at such a young age.
Brown, a 2019 North graduate entering his third NFL season, had an outstanding football and basketball career at North before playing collegiately at Northern Iowa and the University of Nebraska. He went on to play for the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers before landing with Miami.
Jamison-Travis, a first-year player and 2020 North alum, starred in football and basketball before embarking on a collegiate career at Iowa Western Community College and Auburn University.
Johnson, a 2016 North graduate approaching his seventh NFL season, starred in football and basketball before an outstanding career at the University of Minnesota. He won a Super Bowl ring as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before stops with the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets.
“What makes this story special is that these athletes once stood exactly where these young people stand today,” Anderson said while watching the 50-plus camp participants. “They grew up in the community, attended North High School, pursued their athletic dreams, and are now returning home during Juneteenth week to invest in the next generation.”
Anderson spoke with passion when talking about the future of the camp.
“We plan on having the camp next year and beyond,” she said. “It’s important for the youth to understand that they can succeed growing up on the Northside.”
The 1994 North graduate, who starred in basketball at the school, also noted an interesting distinction.
“If I am not mistaken, there have only been two other Minnesota high schools with three active NFL players at the same time,” she said with pride. “Cretin Derham Hall, Wayzata and now North High.”
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses at mcdeezy05@gmail.com.