By Kaitlin Candelaria
UAB isn’t the only one bringing football to Birmingham; NFL-player Matt McCants is partnering with The Arc of Jefferson County to offer a football camp for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
McCant hails from Mobile and played football at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before being drafted to the New York Giants in 2012. He now plays for the Oakland Raiders.
“Initially the idea came about from Mike Mitchell, who works for The Arc (as senior vice president),” McCants said in a phone interview from Oakland, California. “When he presented me with the idea, I was very intrigued by it. I’ve never been a part of a camp of that sort and I thought it would be very unique and very beneficial to that community. I’m just trying to provide something that will allow them to participate and have fun doing it.”
Scarlet Thompson, who serves as The Arc’s director of development, already has registered her son, Cade, who was diagnosed with autism as an infant, for the camp, which is called Ability Academy.
“It’s so important that my son has every kind of experience that any other typical person would have,” Thompson said. “Right now, my son is very obsessed with NFL football, so it’s a double win for us because not only is he very interested in it, but it’s something he doesn’t normally get to participate in. To that point, this kind of camp understands the unique abilities of each person who participates and caregivers who are on site with us.”
Thompson said that, although her 12-year-old son enjoys sports, they can sometimes be difficult for him.
“He doesn’t get to focus on even the most basic things that you would learn in P.E. sometimes because of his limitations,” Thompson said. “This is his chance to have one-on-one time with an NFL athlete. I’m hoping that other families will take the opportunity to register and do this with us.”
Ability Academy will focus on skills such as catching, passing, running and stretching as well as the fundamentals and rules of football.
“I want to make it an annual event because it’s important to me and it’s important to Mr. Mitchell and I think it’s something that needs to be addressed,” McCants said.
Ability Academy will take place June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and it is open to children and adults ages 10 and up. It costs $20 to participate, and each child and caretaker will be provided with lunch. Those interested in registering can visit www.arcofjeff.org.
