Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Ertz giving back in football camp at Ridley
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz makes football look easy.
This weekend the Pro Bowl tight end will explain exactly howhe does that during the first, and probably not last, Citi Zach Ertz Football ProCamp, at Ridley High School.
Ertz and a cast of local high school and college coaches are scheduled to instruct an estimated 300 youths from grades 1 through 8 in the fundamentals that made him into one of the NFL’s most dynamic players Saturday and Sunday from9a. m. to 12: 30 p. m.
“I had a lot of great role models growing up,” Ertz said. “And if I can just impact one kid or help further one kid’s goal, that’s all I want to do. Just go out there and kind of give back to the Philadelphia area, the New Jersey area, the Delaware County area. So, it’s going to be a fun time and I’m looking forward to it.”
Participants are encouraged to interact with Ertz, who caught the game- winning touchdown pass from Nick Foles in the Eagles’ 41- 33 Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots this past February. Additionally each camper gets a souvenir autograph from Ertz, and a team photo with the veteran. Participants can also tell Ertz to come back to Ridley next year.
“We wanted to be in one of the surrounding cities of Philly, one of the surrounding counties of Philly, and Ridley just made the most sense in terms of all the logistics, everything,” Ertz said. “I’mexcited going there and kind of seeing what that county is all about. I knowgrowing up inCalifornia, I knowwhat high school and youth atmosphere for sports is. So, I’m excited to see what it’s kind of like out here.”
Down the road, Ertz envisions holding a camp with wife Julie Johnston- Ertz, the soccer star of the U. S. women’s national team and Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“The original plan was to do an all sports camp but she’s going to do a separate camp in Chicago, where she plays,” Ertz said. “In the future, I think there will be onewhere it’s much bigger.… I don’t think this is going to be a one- time thing. It’s something that’s definitely going to grow in this area and we’re excited about it.”
Registration and more information is available at ZachErtzCamp. com.
Citi card members receive 20 percent off the $ 149 camp tuition.