Former Colts, Wolfpack player hosts youth camp at West Stanly

Published 6:03 pm Monday, June 24, 2019

The colors of West Stanly High School are kelly green and gold, but plenty of N.C. State red and the royal blue of the NFL’s New York Giants was visible Saturday morning at the inaugural B.J. Hill Youth Football Camp.

Saturday’s event featured more than 200 youth from Stanly and surrounding counties receiving instruction on football skills from Hill, a former standout with the Colts and the Wolfpack currently playing with the Giants.

Hill was assisted in the camp by a number of local volunteers, including West Stanly head football coach Brett Morton and many of Hill’s former N.C. State teammates now playing in the pro ranks.

“I’m just coming back to my community to show them you can do anything if you put your mind to it. If you work hard and dedicate yourself to a task, not even football but to life in general,” Hill said about Saturday’s camp which was free for the participants.

The Giants defensive lineman said he felt “it’s very important to come out here and give back so they can see that somebody from a small town like Oakboro can make it out.”

He said the county “is going in the right direction” in terms of other players being drafted to NCAA Div. I schools like former North Stanly Comet and current N.C. State freshman C.J. Clark.

The camp is something Hill said he did not have growing up. He said he is “giving back to this great community because I know they gave back to me.”

Hill said he loves playing in the Big Apple, saying the Giants have great fans, players and coaches. Professionally, his goal is to bring a Super Bowl championship to the city.

“I want to win. I’m a winner. That’s all I really care about,” Hill said.

Individual goals and accomplishments are put “to the side before he reaches his goal of winning multiple championships.

Hill is one of three current NFL players, including Indianapolis defensive lineman Denico Autry and Baltimore offensive lineman R.J. Prince.

Sports Editor Charles Curcio can be reached via email at charles.curcio@stanlynewspress.com, 704-983-1361 or via Twitter (@charles_curcio).

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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