Aaron Jones hosts day one of youth football camp

Aaron Jones, the most prolific runner in UTEP football history and Green Bay Packers rookie, held his first-ever football camp Friday.

About 800 enthusiastic campers showed up to see the hometown NFL player.

“It’s an honor,” Jones said. “It’s something I dreamed of as a little kid – to come back to my community and have such a great effect on it. It means the world to me.”

The former UTEP running back, who holds the team’s single-season and career rushing records, had his camp see a few delays due to lightning in the area.

However, children were still able to play on the Sun Bowl Stadium field after the weather died down.

Jones went to some football camps himself as a kid, and he says that played a big role in his football career.

“I went to Michael Vick’s camp when I was younger,” Jones said. “So, I was like I want to do something like this when I make it.”

The El Paso-born football player is hoping that his camp will do the same for children in the community.

“I think they do need more camps,” Jones said. “Learn from the pros, have a couple pros come back and teach them the right way to play football. Just to see somebody who has made it, they’ll definitely take that in.”

Jones also had a special message to the kids in his camp and throughout El Paso.

“Just follow your dreams,” Jones said. “If someone says you can’t do it, don’t listen. I was told I was too little, too small, wasn’t fast enough, and look at me now.”

Day two of Jones camp will start Saturday, July 22 at 10 a.m. with sign-up at 9 a.m. at Sun Bowl Stadium. Day two is open to players who are entering or currently in high school.