Volunteer with Youth this Summer -- It's Rewarding

Summertime is approaching, and although we aren't kids anymore (which means gone are the nearly three-month-long summer breaks), there are plenty of opportunities to support youth in our communities. I've found, over the years, this is when many youth programs and nonprofit organizations are in great need of volunteers and mentors. I encourage you to get involved, whether it's in a long-term capacity with one organization or you're supporting various events throughout the coming weeks and months.

On Saturday, I volunteered with the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation's annual football camp. The Carolina Panthers' star, Thomas Davis, puts on the free event for Charlotte youth and invites several of his teammates and other players and coaches from around the NFL to provide a day of fun, sports training, and motivation for the kids (fellow Panthers Luke Kuechly, Ryan Kalil, and Jonathan Stewart were among those in attendance; watch the Panthers.com video of Davis' camp). The camp is a part of TDDDF's annual charity weekend, which also included a fundraising party Friday night at the Harvey B. Gantt Center (also attended and supported by several NFL players).

As I helped with the camp registration Saturday morning, and the kids walked up one by one to check in, it reminded me why I love giving my time to serve youth. Just seeing the looks on their faces -- excitement, enthusiasm, and even shyness for some -- took me back to when I was their ages, and had the benefit of men in my community positively impacting my life (from my father to my Boy Scout troop leaders and recreation league coaches).  

A pleasure volunteering at @ThomasDavisSDTM @TDDDF's free youth football camp today in #CLT. #TDDDF pic.twitter.com/7u1Gc9KeLM

— Jarvis Holliday (@HollidayInk) May 16, 2015

Out here supporting the man of the year @td58 with his football Champ Charlotte #defendingdreams #keeppounding

A photo posted by Jonathan Stewart (@jonathanstewar1) on May 16, 2015 at 8:18am PDT

Below is a quick video I captured with my phone of the TDDDF camp kids shouting their excitement at the end of the day's activities.

I look forward to volunteering with youth throughout this summer, and I hope you will too! Follow me on Twitter @HollidayInk, where I often share details on volunteer and charitable opportunities in Charlotte.

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Carolina Panthers Should Draft Alshon Jeffery in First Round, in My Not So Humble Opinion

NFL Draft analysts don't know what they're talking about. The 2012 NFL Draft is three months away, and leading sports reporters are beginning to publish their mock drafts (NFL.com, Bleacher Report, ESPN, HuffPost Sports). They'll update their lists over the next several weeks after more factors become certain, such as how the remaining four teams finish in the playoffs (teams draft in the first round based on how they finish the previous season, from worst drafting first to best drafting last) and how draft prospects perform in the NFL Scouting Combine (February 22-28). The only thing that's probably not likely to change is the analysts' assertion that the Indianapolis Colts will draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick.

But here's why I say NFL Draft analysts don't know what they're talking about. Most of them are suggesting that the Carolina Panthers will draft a defensive tackle or defensive end with the No. 8 or 9 pick in the first round (next month, a coin flip between the Panthers and Miami Dolphins will determine who drafts eighth and who drafts ninth). The Panthers' most important needs are on defense, analysts say, pointing to the fact that the team allowed franchise records in points, touchdowns, total yards, and passing yards this past season. The Panthers will likely draft defensive end Quinton Coples from North Carolina, defensive tackle Devon Still from Penn State, or cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama with their first-round pick, analysts say.

Well, I disagree. The Panthers' defense will automatically become better in 2012 because starting linebackers Jon Beason (injured week one and missed remainder of season) and Thomas Davis (injured week two and missed remainder of season) will be back. And other defensive needs can be addressed in the second and third rounds and through free agency.

In the 2011 draft, when the Panthers had the No. 1 overall pick, despite them coming off of a 2-14 season that featured horrible quarterback play by Jimmy Clausen and others, analysts were suggesting they should pick a defensive player like Von Miller from Texas A&M, Marcell Dareus from Alabama, or Nick Fairley from Auburn. Every time the conversation came up last winter and spring, which it did often because it was a hot topic around Charlotte, I would say the Panthers should draft Cam Newton. "The Panthers need to put an exciting offense on the field, even if it takes a little longer to win," I said. "Fans will be patient with the team rebuilding if the team is fun to watch, because they were a bore to watch during the 2010 season."

Fortunately, the Panthers listened to me and drafted quarterback Cam Newton in the first round. And what did he do in his first NFL season?:

• Broke the rookie record for passing yards in a season (4,051).
• Broke the single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (14).
• Broke the rookie record for most touchdowns accounted for in a season (35; 21 passing + 14 rushing).
• Led the Panthers from being ranked dead last in total offense at 32nd in 2010 to being ranked 6th in 2011, as the team scored 210 more points.

Now, in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft in April, the Panthers should keep the offensive momentum going and draft wide receiver Alshon Jeffery from my alma mater, the South Carolina Gamecocks. Alshon's productivity dropped in 2011 from the monstrous season he had in 2010, but that was because USC's quarterback situation was less stable (the starting quarterback got kicked off the team midway through the season). Still, Alshon is one of the best two or three receivers coming out of college, and because of his size he will make the biggest impact.

[Source]

The Panthers should draft Alshon to further intimidate defenses. He's 6-4, 230 pounds, so when you pair him with Cam, who's 6-5, 248 pounds, they'll have a one-two passing attack that's larger than half of the players defending them. Speaking of one-two, both Cam and Alshon wear jersey No. 1. If Alshon becomes a Panther, he should wear No. 2 (give it up, Jimmy Clausen).

The Panthers should draft Alshon because there have been too many seasons with Steve Smith not having another wide receiver to complement him--not since Muhsin Muhammad. Not during the 2005 to 2007 seasons when Muhammad played for the Bears (he played 11 of his 14 seasons for the Panthers) and not since he retired from the Panthers after the 2009 season. Cam revitalized Smitty this past season, as No. 89 caught 79 passes for 1,394 yards and is playing in next week's Pro Bowl for the first time in three years. (Cam could also play in the Pro Bowl if Eli Manning advances to the Super Bowl; Cam is the NFC's first alternate at quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.)

The Panthers should draft Alshon because they need to start grooming a successor to Steve. He'll be 33 years old when the 2012 season begins and I believe he's capable of having at least two more highly productive seasons like he had like this past one. But not many NFL teams have a 33-year-old as their number-one receiver.

And finally, the Panthers should draft Alshon because look at what the New York Giants have done this season. As I wrap up typing this blog post, the Giants vs. 49ers NFC Championship game has just begun. One of the main reasons the Giants are one win away from playing in the Super Bowl is because Eli Manning had two top receivers to throw to this season: Victor Cruz (1,536 yards) and Hakeem Nicks (1,192 yards). Hakeem is a Charlotte native and Independence High School grad who I blogged about three years ago: "Hakeem Nicks Is Making A Mistake." I'm glad to see he's proved me wrong.

But, about Alshon Jeffery, I am right. (I also mentioned this briefly two weeks ago on 282.)

As a Gamecocks fan, I'm admittedly bias. But I've also watched Alshon play in nearly every game during his three-year college career. So I know what he's capable of, just like the cornerbacks and free safeties who will fear him in the NFL. Watch this Alshon Jeffery Career Highlights reel a fan put together on YouTube, but you might want to mute it due to explicit lyrics.

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UniverSoul Circus Is a Non-Stop Party

UniverSoul Circus rolled into Charlotte this week and held its opening night Tuesday. Even though the three cities I've lived in over the last 10 years have all had the big-top show set up shop there, including repeated visits to Charlotte, this was my first time going. I've always heard good things about the Atlanta-based circus that was created in 1994 to spotlight African-American performers. But I was never too drawn to going to any of the shows since I don't have kids. The circus is for families, I thought. Well, I was thoroughly entertained at UniverSoul Circus.

A near-capacity crowd filled the tent on Freedom Drive for the 7:30 opening night show. There were plenty of parents there with their bunches of kids in tow. And there was also a surprising number of adults there without kids.

It was immediately apparent that music and dance would be a big part of the entertainment. It opened with African music with dancers strutting to every beat of the drum. Acrobatics also abounded, making you wonder how it's physically possible for people to be stacked on each other's shoulders. As the show really got going, hip-hop music became the staple--speakers pumping bass like a rap concert. Ringmaster Shuckey Duckey, who I'd mostly known as a comedian, orchestrated the evening.

Because I don't want to give too much away to people reading this who might be planning to go this week--there are a lot of surprises and breathtaking feats--I'll just touch on a few highlights. Since it was opening night, we probably got extra treats such as Charlotte's professional sports mascots--Sir Purr (Carolina Panthers), Rufus Lynx (Charlotte Bobcats), and Homer (Charlotte Knights)--being a part of the show. Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis came riding in on an elephant and Power 98's No Limit Larry was part of a high-flying slam dunk performance group.

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Carolina Panthers Player Pimped His Ride Then It Was Stolen

The pimped-out, souped-up 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Classic owned by Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was stolen over the weekend from in front of his southeast Charlotte home. With the many customizations Davis had done to the car, the two-door convertible is valued at more than $135,000.

Owning expensive cars is something of a requirement for professional athletes. But I must also note that Davis isn't your typical, frivolous big baller. He also runs a great charity, of which I blogged about a couple of months ago ("Carolina Panther Hosting Events for Charity").

Also noteworthy is what I think has now become an unfortunate pattern for Carolina Panthers players. This is the third summer in a row in which something bad has happened to a Panther player's car (I previously blogged about the first two last year: "Panthers Rookies' Bad Luck With Cars"). In summer 2007, then-rookie Dwayne Jarrett had his BMW 645 coupe totaled when he was hit by a reckless driver on I-77. In summer 2008, then-rookie Jeff Otah's Cadillac Escalade was carjacked while his brother was driving it in Uptown. And this summer this has happened to Davis.

Here are photos of Davis's car that was stolen (photos courtesy of Fourtitude Forums). The thieves better keep it out of sight because it certainly wouldn't be hard to spot, particularly because of the large mural of Davis and a Panther that's painted on the trunk.

Click on photos for larger view.

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Carolina Panther Hosting Events for Charity

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis is hosting celebrity events in Charlotte this weekend for his new not-for-profit organization, the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation. The weekend will consist of community outreach and fundraisers for the foundation, which will promote programs for local children and families, and the community will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite NFL players.

Friday morning, players will visit area schools, speaking to youth about respect, discipline, hard work, and dedication. In the evening, "An Evening with Thomas Davis and Friends" will be held at Hendrick Motors of Charlotte. This invite-only, red carpet event will include a silent auction.

Saturday will include a free youth football camp and “Players in the Park,” a family fun day at Nevin park. There will be games, food, inflatables, NFL autograph signings, and more. That night, adults will party it up at "The Blue Affair" at Club 935.


Invited NFL players include: Chris Harris, Jon Beason, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Jeff Otah, Muhsin Muhammad, and several more players from the Carolina Panthers; D.J. Shockley, Tony Gilbert, and Kindal Moorehead from the Atlanta Falcons; Sean Jones and Omar Gaither from the Philadelphia Eagles; Boss Bailey, Champ Bailey, and Dre Bly from the Denver Broncos; Chris Canty from the New York Giants; and many more of Thomas Davis's NFL friends.

Thomas Davis Celebrity Charity Weekend

Friday, May 15

School Appearances
Ranson Middle School
Randolph Middle
Jay M. Robertson Middle
Dilworth Elementary

An Evening with Thomas Davis and Friends
Invitation-only
7–10 p.m.
Hendrick Motors of Charlotte

Saturday, May 16

Youth Football Camp
Free
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Nevin Park
6000 Statesville Rd.

Players in the Park
Free
12–3 p.m.
Nevin Park

The Blue Affair
10 p.m.–2 a.m.
Club 935
935 S. Summit Ave.

For more info on the Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation, visit www.tddefendingdreams.org.

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