Friday July 13, 2012

A lot of times when guys hit the big time they forget about where they came from. For Minnesota Viking linebacker Jasper Brinkley, that'll never happen.

Friday, Brinkley holding his third annual football camp and the turnout was tremendous with over 100 kids on hand. Jasper, along with his brother Casper and some other NFL friends were giving kids a chance to learn from the pros. While the kids had plenty of fun learning more about the game, it was tough to wipe the smile off the host.

"It's great" said Jasper Brinkley "Just to be able to have the community behind me in doing one of my football camps, it's just a great thing. Being able to see the youth come out and being able to enjoy themselves, I just enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces."

This is a big year for Brinkley. He missed all of last season with a knee injury but is completely healed and ready to roll. Many, including brinkley thinks its his time to break into the Viking starting lineup at linebacker.

"Yea, it definitely is, like I say, the sky is the limit for me and the only thing that's holding me back is myself" said Brinkley

"I believe it's his spot to go out there and compete for and win" said Viking teammate Erin Henderson "Nothing is ever given to you in the NFL and in our league and where you come from, you have to go out there and earn it and work for everything that you want and that you hope for but Jasper understand that."

Just a couple of weeks and Brinkley will be off to Minnesota for the start of training camp. Saturday, Jefferson County's and the Tennessee Titans Fernando Velasco holding a camp in his home town.

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