GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Before strapping on his pads for training camp, Packers defensive end Rashan Gary took time to give back, hosting his first-ever youth football camp in Green Bay, creating a memorable day for young athletes and their families.
“You know, going on year seven with the Packers, man — it’s something that I wish I would have done sooner, but it’s one of those things that’s better late than never,” said Gary. “So I’m happy to be out here, giving back to the kids. I see the excitement, I see them learning and really honing in on the details, so I’m loving it.”
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The camp gave young football players the chance to learn directly from an NFL pro, something Gary says helped shape his own journey as a kid.
“Going into sixth grade, his name was Eugene Monroe — I think he was a left tackle, came out from playing in New Jersey, went to Virginia — and I don’t even know if he remembers me, but I ended up going to his camp. It sparked something in my heart,” Gary recalled. “I remember leaving that camp, and my mom saying, ‘That’s the day you wanted to be a professional football player.’”
The opportunity to learn from someone like Gary wasn’t lost on the families in attendance.
“My son was super excited today, and we made the drive from Fond du Lac,” said Danielle Theisen, whose son participated in the camp. “I think it’s great for him to come down and do this for the kids.”
Theisen also noted the Packers’ deep connection to the communities across Wisconsin.
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“I just think it’s great — I think that they put the community before a lot of things, and it shows,” she said. “We support them, and they support us.”
Gary and the rest of the Packers report to training camp on Wednesday, July 23 — the first step in preparing for the 2025 NFL season.
