Garth Brooks holds football camp for kids in Las Cruces

Garth Brooks is back in Las Cruces for the first time in 21 years, and he’s not just treating fans to his music.

Brooks hosted a football camp for local kids at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

“What this is about is using sports, which we all loved as kids, and using the coaches to get all these kids around today and talking about loving one another,” Brooks said.

It’s part of his Teammates for Kids Foundation, that helps provide scholarships for underprivileged children.

“To get to come here and play on something like this,” Brooks said. “This is a memory they will take with them forever.”

More than 100 kids took part in the event. New Mexico State football players helped coach the kids through different drills.

“I’m a big Garth Brooks fan,” NMSU wide receiver Dallas Hart said. “To have him out here in the Las Cruces community, especially taking his time off away to help these players and help us — it means a lot to this community for sure.”

The camp was free, and it’s something that Brooks has done during each tour stop.

Amanda Carreras took her two children to the camp.

“I’ve listened to his music since I was younger, and my dad showed me his music, so I think it’s awesome,” Carreras said. “It’s kind of like a personal connection that my kids get to come out here and he’s supporting it.”

For Brooks, the camp wasn’t just about the X’s and O’s. It was about teaching life lessons.

“We’re all contributors, that’s the thing right there. We’re all making our contribution to this nation, to this race, to this planet. What is your contribution,” Brooks said.