On Sunday, September 22, 2013, former Chicago Bears Running Back Adrian Peterson, left, visited Ebenezer Reformed Church, 309 E. Park Street, Morrison, IL, making a 9:30 a.m. presentation. The church sponsored this special event, but it was a personal invitation by Jon Kophamer that initiated it.
Afterwards, at the Morrison Sports Complex, Peterson spent an hour teaching football drills to local youth, signed autographs, and posed for photographs. At that time Kophamer stated, “He’ll be back.”
True to his word, Peterson will hold a youth football camp on Saturday, July 26, 2014, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at Morrison High School, 643 Genesee Avenue, Morrison. Boys and girls in grades kindergarten through high school are eligible.
The fee is $40, payable to Adrian Peterson. The fee includes a t-shirt, lunch, drinks, and an 8″ x 10″ photo.
To guarantee placement and a camp t-shirt, pre-register by Thursday, July 17, at adrianpeterson3.com. (Click on Football Camps/”Morrison.”) Alternately, parents may mail payment and the registration form to Brooke Newman, 14369 Fenton Road, Morrison, IL 61270.
Peterson was drafted in 2002 and played professional ball with the Bears for eight years. He was honored with the Walter Payton Award in 1999, while a student at Georgia Southern University. The prestigious award is given to the most outstanding offensive college player, as determined by a Nationwide panel of media and sports information directors.
Peterson is now a motivational speaker and sells his book titled Don’t Dis My Abilities.
Morrison offers football instruction beginning with six year olds/first graders through grade four in the NIYTF program. The Junior Tackle program takes over for youth in grades five through eight. High School teams continue from Freshman through Senior year.