Tommy Bohanon’s SWFL football camp makes changes for pandemic safety

An NFL player comes back to Southwest Florida every year to give back to young athletes, but Tommy Bohanon’s football camp won’t look anything like it has in previous years.

Keeping athletes safe during a pandemic is proving to be a challenge, but it’s one Bohanon is ready to meet.

“I can’t wait. It’s been tough not having football for a while,” said camp-goer Weston Haupt.

What is he looking forward to most?

“Just getting to see all my friends,” he said.

And learning from NFL fullback and North Fort Myers High School alum Tommy Bohanon – even with COVID-19 precautions in place.

“They are set in pods of 10 kids or less each, and we’re trying to limit it to 100 kids this year, so we’re just not having a huge gathering,” Bohanon said.

“They have to get their temperature checked, they have to sign a waiver that they haven’t been exposed or anything like that to the virus.”

Bohanon said they’re planning to follow the School District of Lee County’s playbook when it comes to sports workouts.

“After each group, we’re going to sanitize everything and make sure there’s no cross-contamination or anything of that nature,” Bohanon said.

“We do that as coaches for Pop Warner at high school level, so it’s only rational to do it at a camp as well,” said parent and coach Marcus Haupt.

Even during a pandemic, Bohanon hopes he can still deliver a touchdown for the kids.

“We just want to make sure we can do everything that we’ve been doing but keep them safe as well.”

The free youth football camp takes place on July 18 at North Fort Myers High School for kids in 1st through 8th grades.

Unlike in previous years, you have to pre-register this year. Registration closes July 16 as long as the camp roster doesn’t fill up before then. Click here for more info and to register.