‘He’s a giver’: Falcons’ Keith Smith hosts fifth annual football camp

LOS ANGELES — The National Football League season might be over, but football is still in the air in Southern California. Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith continued his annual tradition by hosting his fifth football skills camp at his alma mater, Charter Oak High School, on Saturday, April 6.

The NFL veteran shared the field with fellow teammates, former coaches and family, enriching the next generation with positivity and knowledge throughout the day.

“It means everything … being able to get down to these kids’ level and show them we are human just like them, and show all it takes is hard work and consistency,” Smith said.

“I grew up going to these camps.”

Smith’s Skills Camp, which offered spots to children from first to 12th grade, focused on character development, leadership, and sportsmanship. The camp is part of his Smith Effect Foundation, which aims to “empower youth through the provision of transformative opportunities and access to education and resources.”

Smith, also known as “beef,” has been in the NFL for over a decade, entering the league in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. Smith was a natural linebacker his whole life, winning multiple CIF Championships at Charter Oak and racking up 476 total tackles in his four years at San Jose State. However, after one season with the Dallas Cowboys, former head coach Jason Garret converted Smith to a fullback to keep him around the organization.

After three seasons with the Cowboys, Smith signed with the Oakland Raiders for one year in 2019. Following his short stint with the Raiders, Smith found a new home with the Atlanta Falcons, where he has spent the past five seasons.

“It is electrifying every time I hear my name called ... it’s the most awesome feeling a dad can ever have,” said Smith’s father, Keith Smith Sr.

A collection of Smith’s teammates and coaches rounded out the volunteers helping to run the skills camp. In his Jordan 13 Hellcats, former 2017 Offensive Player of the Year and 2015 Rookie of the Year Todd Gurley, who played alongside Smith with Atlanta in 2020, coached the young generation about pure speed and toughness. Current Falcons teammates Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson also showed up for their vet.

“Seeing Keith come out here and change these kids’ lives, give them an opportunity to come out, play football and just have fun with each other… that is something that I take part in and believe in,” Robinson said.

In addition, several other former college and professional teammates and friends came out to help with drills: tight end Josh Oliver, running back Ameer Abdullah, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, cornerback Bené Benwikere, linebacker Christian Kirksey, linebacker Elijah Lee, linebacker Will Smith, cornerback Nik Needham, running back Kenjon Barner, safety Eddie Pleasant and defensive end Cassius Marsh. Every coach added a different perspective to the camp’s drills, with various position groups represented on the field.

Following brief introductions of the coaches, the kids finally hit the field for a day of skills training. Split into nine groups, the kids start with warmups. By 9 a.m., the energy was high across the board.

“It’s all for the kids, seeing a smile on their faces, having them compete, and showing them how to be great,” Allegier said.

After warmups, the nine groups split away to various stations, working on lateral agility, catching, blocking and footwork. While there was a fun motive behind every drill, coaches pushed the kids to compete and perform with detail. Every time a player messed up a drill, they did a set of 10 pushups.

As each coach managed their drills, Smith checked in with every group. With a large smile, Smith brought infectious energy that the parents in the stands and the coaches on the field could feel. Smith’s larger-than-life attitude on Saturday has been his way of life for a long time.

“Keith is a giver; he is always about the community,” Jack Smith, Keith Smith’s high school football coach, said. “He was always joyful out there [on the football field], giving all he had and producing.”

But his personality doesn’t just come from football. According to his father, Smith also learned the importance of loving and caring in his early childhood.

“We love and enjoy life. Everybody is my brother and sister. So that’s what we give, the spirit we put out,” Smith Sr. said. “It’s all about love, joy, and happiness. And if everybody were like my son and me, this would be heaven.”

The positive energy that radiated from every coach came through in the drills. Using positive affirmations, coaches uplifted the kids when they messed up a drill and encouraged them not to give up.

Veteran Fullback Keith Smith enters his 11th season in the NFL, sixth with the Falcons.

After two hours of drill, coaches had an opportunity to show off their strength in a game of tug-of-war. As the kids gathered around the large inflatable tug-of-war bouncer, fellow Falcon teammates Robinson and Allegier faced off in the age-old game. With pride and bragging rights on the line, Robinson got the better of his teammate.

The beautiful morning in Covina wrapped up with high school-aged players getting to impress their NFL coaches with one-versus-one repetitions. With coaches watching from the sidelines, the players had the rare opportunity to receive professional advice on how to improve their game.

“Learn football from actual guys that did it … I think that’s the biggest blessing of it all,” Gurley said.

After wrapping up the camp’s fifth-ever edition, Smith headed back to Atlanta for his 11th season in the NFL. He reflected on growing into a leadership role, passing on the lessons of a veteran to his younger teammates.

“I feel he should write a book, because [Smith] has mastered stability, taking care of the community, and giving back in Atlanta and Covina,” Smith Sr. said.