One of the most accomplished football players to come from Jenkins High School in the last decade, Anthony Lanier II has always been willing to give back to his Savannah community and his old HVJ football program.
The former NFL defensive end (Washington, San Diego, Kansas City, New Orleans) and current member of the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, Lanier graduated from Jenkins in 2011 and went on to a stellar career at Alabama A&M. He was signed by the then Redskins in 2016 as an undrafted free agent and made the team out of training camp despite long odds of doing so.
Lanier’s free football camp is set for Saturday, June 18 at the new Jenkins High School football field on the HVJ campus. The camp, now several years old, is designed for kids ages 4-14 and will be run by current HVJ football players and undefeated warrior foundation members. Lanier won’t be able to attend this year’s camp as he is currently with the CFL Roughriders preparing for the team’s season opener on June 11 in Saskatchewan.
But, he did take time to talk with PSR on June 8, and during the phone call, Lanier’s voice rose in excitement whenever he was talking about the youth of Savannah and just why it means so much to him to make sure he’s doing his part to improve their chances of success on the field, and off.
“(The foundation) and the football camp really is all about giving kids in (the Savannah area) a chance to see things in a positive direction and not so much negative,” Lanier said from Canada. “Coming up in Carver (Village), there wasn’t a lot of professional athletes to look up to. They didn’t come from where I came from. We had some role models, who shaped me into who I am today, but for the most part, I didn’t have that kind of thing.
“So who am I to turn away from (the Savannah youth) now? I feel like I have to be using the opportunities and the knowledge that I have, and pass that along to these children. I came from where they are right now.”
His foundation is largely responsible for the camp, along with help from the Warrior Touchdown Club (a Jenkins alumni and booster group). A quick glance at the Undefeated Warrior’s website, and it’s easy to see the community outreach efforts spearheaded by Lanier and company have made an impact.
At Lanier’s first football camp in 2017, rapper Flau'jae (the daughter of late Savannah rapper Camoflauge) performed. Former Savannah athletes like Frank Kearse, who was also a Savannah native (Savannah High) that played at Alabama A&M before playing on Sundays in the NFL, have helped to run Lanier’s camps in the past.
NEED TO KNOW
WHAT: Undefeated Warrior Anthony M Lanier II Foundation Football Camp
WHEN: Saturday, June 18; 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. (registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)
WHERE: HVJ Football Field (1800 E DeRenne Ave.)
WHO: Boys & girls ages 4-14
REGISTER: Online at www.undefeatedwarrior.org OR call 912-210-2719, 912-224-4647
ON TWITTER: @WarriorTouchFB; @FootballHVJ; @TSpoon90
“Undefeated Warrior the Anthony M. Lanier II Foundation, Inc. provides support to community-based organizations to promote education, good health, and the development of character, social skills and values that will empower youth in the Savannah Community to recognize and reach their full potential,” says the website’s ABOUT page.
“Undefeated Warrior the AML2F is dedicated to its vision of being a voice for the underdog and the overlooked in the Savannah-Chatham County, Georgia area.”
Jenkins’ Director of Football Operations Leroy Benton also spoke with PSR on Wednesday, and the longtime HVJ coach said the Jenkins football players “are fired up" to lead the camp next weekend.
“Our players get to knock off some of their community service hours we require, but they also get to give back to the community that supports them during the season,” Benton said. “(HVJ head football coach Tony Welch) and myself and several other coaches will be out there, and we’re excited too.”
Benton added reminders for campers and parents of campers alike. Players should wear cleats, and athletic clothing, and although water will be available, players are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Lunch will be provided for every camper after the conclusion of the camp, and parents will need to sign a liability waiver at the time of registration.
Every player attending the camp will receive a free AML2 tee-shirt with registration.
More information about the foundation, Lanier and the camp can be found online at www.undefeatedwarrior.org and by calling 912-210-2719 or 912-224-4647.
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
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