Instructors at the clinic included four retired NFL players: Elbert Shelley, Michael Haynes, Keith Jones, all formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, and Barry Hall, formerly of the Tennessee Titans. Shelley is now employed in the Sheriff's Office, and Hall is now a teacher and football coach at Gordon Central High School.
Several other volunteers also served as instructors, including Sheriff Ralston, Capt. Mike Garigan, State Patrol Sgt. Ritchie Harris, Troopers Chuck Kirby and Rodney Curtis, Calhoun High School Coach Mike Davis, Recreation Department Director Ronnie Reeves and coach Jeff “Whitey” Davis, Joey Walraven and Ryan Ingle of The Factory, lay coaches Pete Garigan and Jason Fuller, and Sonoraville Phoenix varsity football players Jake Harford, and Peyton Dempsey.
The clinic consisted of different stations where the participants received instruction in passing, kicking, tackling, blocking, receiving, and agility.
Eighty eight players participated. Ralston said that the goal of this clinic was not only to give the kids some basic football instruction, but to provide some life lessons to carry with them away from the football field. Each of the volunteer coaches spoke about setting and obtaining goals in life, and how to achieve success on and off the field. The clinic provided an excellent opportunity not only for the kids to meet actual professional football players, but to interact with law enforcement officers on a personal level, as well.
Ralston thanked all of the civilians and auxiliary volunteers, as well as all of the sponsors of this successful event, and looked forward to next year's clinic.
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