TOP STORY >> NFL hero comes to Little Rock

By Master Sgt. Jeffrey Walston

913th Airlift Group

Former Arkansas Razorback Darren McFadden, who is now a running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League, hosted a Football ProCamp at Little Rock Air Force Base on June 23-24.

The free camp, brought to the base in part by commissary sales, offered instruction to approximately 150 local military children in grades 1 – 8 on fundamental skills and the finer points of football. McFadden also spoke to campers on the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle.

“Being from Arkansas, and being able to come out here and do this for military families, it’s just a great thing to get to do,” McFadden said. “I love the state of Arkansas, and any way I can give back, I’m always willing to do it.”

Despite sporting a brace from his right wrist to shoulder imbobilizing his recently broken elbow, McFadden personally interacted with the campers on the field showing his enthusiasm and love for the game. He broke his elbow over the Memorial Day weekend after slipping on cement at a friend’s pool.

The collegiate All-American and two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up encouraged the youth with a mantra of “work hard and be humble” – ideals that has led the him from Pulaski County’s Oak Grove High School Pulaski County all the way to NFL stardom.

“Continue to work hard,” he said. “(It’s) not something that everyone has in them, but it’s something I want to instill in people and continue to do.”

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, McFadden played college football for the University of Arkansas. At the end of his college career, he was the most decorated player in the school’s history, and was picked fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 NFL Draft.