Micah Parsons returns to El Paso for a youth football camp

Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons hosted a clinic for 600 aspiring young football players at El Paso High School.

A year ago, Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons made his first trip to El Paso and the city impressed Parsons as much as it impressed him.

After dominating the softball game of Aaron and Alvin Jones, Parsons, who seemed moved by the reception he received at Southwest University Park, vowed to return. He made good on that statement Monday, June 17, when he hosted a clinic for 600 young aspiring football players at El Paso High School.

“I was here for the Aaron Jones softball game and the community was just so crazy,” said Parsons, who will also be back in El Paso for the June 27 softball event. “I said I would come back to El Paso. This is one of my favorite places and I’m happy to be back.”

His appearance sent a shock through the campers, who lined up to have their pictures taken with him before moving on to drills. Although the football practices were the centerpiece of the camp, Parsons said he wanted the campers to learn more than just football; he wanted them to learn about life.

“Character is everything; it defines who you are,” said Parsons. “We are defined by character, not by what you look like. I want to teach them to compete and enjoy the game of football. I love the game of football, that’s what it’s all about.”

That message resonated with the camp participants.

“I look up to him; I play the same position,” said 15-year-old Matthew Stevens, a sophomore at Franklin. “It means a lot to learn from him. I hope I can learn to love football a little more.”

Kaysen Jaquez had another message he hoped to pass on to Parsons.

“It means a lot, thank you to my mom and dad who paid for me,” the 8-year-old said. “I’m looking forward to telling Micah Parsons that my uncle can beat him at arm wrestling.”

Benjamin Dominguez was happy to put a face to someone who was a video game character to him.

“Micah Parsons is No. 1 on my top list in football,” the 9-year-old said. “Every time I play Madden, I want to play him.”

He saw him in person on Monday.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

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Micah Parsons returns to El Paso for a youth football camp

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