WEST PALM BEACH – Cre’Von LeBlanc had a dream and a vision.
The Belle Glade (Fla.) native and star cornerback always wanted to reach the NFL and be in position to give back. After years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice, it came full circle again at his second annual Strap For It Football Camp.
Held at Keiser University in West Palm Beach (Fla.), a host of fellow NFL players, former college football players, and high school coaches assisted LeBlanc in putting forth a full-fledged football clinic for more than 200 youngsters who took advantage of this opportunity. They engaged in a series of passing, running, catching, and lineman drills on the Keiser University football fields with a level of enthusiasm that stayed on a high note throughout the day.
A host of individual awards were handed out to several camp attendees toward the event’s conclusion, which took place inside the Keiser University cafeteria due to inclement weather. In addition to that, there a lineup of speakers were on hand to encourage the youngsters, including the likes of Cre’Von LeBlanc and others.
At the end of the day, everyone who knows Cre’Von can agree on one thing. He has not forgotten where he came from, and he has remained humble and productive despite all his success over the years.
LeBlanc values football in more ways than one as he spoke about holding the second annual strap for it camp.
“You can always tie violence into football,” LeBlanc said. “Lead a kid in a good direction and not a bad direction. Football is basically a stress reliever. Everything you have bottled up inside you can be taken out on an opponent. You can just take all your frustration out in the game and not get in trouble. It’ll keep you motivated also.”
Family has always been a staple in LeBlanc’s life, especially after losing his father at the age of 15 to a massive heart attack.
“It’s very important to have my mom (Lawanda Vereen LeBlanc) and rep team out here,” LeBlanc said. “It’s a blessing to have my family out here, as well as my peers and old coaches who coached me up. I know they are leading everyone in the right direction.”
LeBlanc opened up the floor for a Q&A session.
Fellow teammate Johnathan Franklin III had a message for kids about his life and career path to being a professional football player.
“Life isn’t going to be peaches and cream,” Franklin said. “In life you will stand up or lay down and fold. You should never lay down and fold.”
Tevin Allen, who is the CEO of Gold Feet Global, spoke to the crowd also but he delivered a different message about life and football.
“Don’t ask me about the NFL,” Allen said. Ask me about life outside of football. I’m not in the NFL, but I’ve trained professional athletes and built up something that will last a lifetime.”
Note: Frank Brown (Glades Central alum, Bethune Cookman alum), Trevon Coley (FAU alum, Cleveland Brown), Raekwon Williams (FAU alum), Joshua Ballesteros (FAU alum), Johnathan Franklin III (FAU alum, Chicago bears), William Likely (Glades Central alum) Jacoby Brisset( Dwyer alum, Indianapolis Colts) Joshua Bellamy (Chicago Bears),
Joshua Thornton (Houston Texans)
