Bell set to host first professional football camp in Benton Harbor

Joique Bell remembers the feeling. 

Living on the west coast of Michigan, in love with football, unable to attend a summer camp organized by NFL players. 

In fact, when he was in high school, Bell was so desperate to attend a big-time football camp, he saved enough money to travel to Ann Arbor to attend one at the University of Michigan.

A few years later, the tables are turned.  Bell is bringing a big-time football camp to Benton Harbor. 

Bell, who won the Harlan Hill Trophy as the top Division II player in the United States during his senior year at Wayne State, landed on the Lions roster last December after stops in Buffalo, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and New Orleans. 

He doesn’t take his good fortune for granted and he’s committed to offering the kids in his hometown a chance he never had.

“It’s great to be able to go back and give to your community,” said Bell.  “Especially when that community is in the same state as the team you’re playing on professionally.

“To be able to bring positive feedback and positive people back to my community to help make a difference – it always gives you a good feeling when you give back to somewhere that you came from, just to help out the kids there.”

Some of Bell’s teammates from the Lions, including Nate Burleson, Brandon Pettigrew, Lance Long, Marcus Harris and Ross Weaver, will also be a part of the camp, teaching a group of approximately 200 kids the fundamentals of football and passing on the lessons they’ve learned through years in the game. 

Ronald Talley, a defensive end from the Arizona Cardinals who grew up in Oak Park and attended Renaissance High School in Detroit, will be a part of the coaching staff as well.

“This gives the kids something that’s outside the box,” said Bell.  “Things we never had growing up when I was there. I want to give that to them.”

Bell laughed when reflecting on his long trip to Michigan to attend the football camp in Ann Arbor. 

“I had to drive 2 ½ hours just to get there,” said Bell.  “A lot of kids in the Benton Harbor area – they can’t find a ride to go that far or pay that kind of money.  At the time, I was barely able to go.  It was like $380, I think.  Our kids in our community can’t afford that.”

The experience at the Michigan camp made a difference in Bell’s career and now it’s his turn to pass on the knowledge.

“I want to bring something to this camp where they can learn and get the same chance that these kids who go to the bigger camps have and give them the same tools they need to be successful,” said Bell.  “That’s all I’m trying to do.”

The Joique Bell II Foundation 2012 NFL Football Camp will be held this Saturday, June 30 from 11am-6pm at Benton Harbor High School’s Filstrup Field.  For more information, call 269-369-1234.