Frank Walker hosts Tuskegee youth football camp
Former Booker T. Washington standout wide receiver Frank Walker held his annual Frank Walker 41 Forty One Camp Tuesday at his former college, Tuskegee University, giving kids a free opportunity for lots of fun and football.
100 kids took the field at Cleveland Leigh Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium alongside Booker T. Washington, Notasulga and Tallassee High School players.
The camp reunited Walker on the field with his former college quarterback, now Tuskegee head coach Aaron James, and his former college head coach, now athletic director Reginald Ruffin. Both shared fond memories of Walker’s journey.
“Sleeping in meetings. And I’m the one that had to discipline him and get him up running,” Ruffin recalled with a laugh. “And believe it or not, running him wasn’t the thing you needed to do, because he could run all day. So you had to do something that he didn’t like to do, maybe bear crawls, or seal walks, that always got it. But running, he can run all day. He’s like the gazelle. He can run all day.”
Ruffin said Walker has become a great businessman and community leader.
“Having an opportunity to coach this joker has been amazing,” Ruffin said. “But for him to come back and continue giving back to these students, these kids, man, it’s just unbelievable. And Frank gives back to Tuskegee University.”
Ruffin said Walker continues to donate to Tuskegee University, supplying Gatorade, power bars and monetary donations.
He even gives football advice to coach James when asked. Although James may joke he’s paying back a favor.
James said: “I’ve been knowing him since 1999, so I mean, just knowing that we used to always come out here. I’m the one that helped him out with his hands. We used to throw balls after practice every day. So yeah, we used to work out. But just like I said, been knowing since 1999 and he’s been the same since I’ve been knowing him. He’s got a big heart for the young men that come out. And he’s always giving back.”
Walker thanks his dad, mom and sister for helping to put on the camp every year. He said it’s special seeing the kids playing outside.
“Being from here, and it’s just giving them something to do and something to look forward to, letting them know that anything could be done from any situation, any hometown, anywhere,” Walker said. “So it resonates a little different when it’s someone that you actually know, that your mom knows, that your grandparents know, and things of that nature. So it’s an easy decision for us.”
