- Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons hosted a clinic for 600 aspiring football players at El Paso High School.
A year ago, Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons visited El Paso for the first time, and the city made just as big an impression on Parsons as it did on him.
Moved by the welcome he received at Southwest University Park after a dominant Aaron vs. Alvin Jones softball game, Parsons vowed to return. He kept his vow, hosting a clinic for 600 aspiring football players at El Paso High School on Monday, June 17.
“I came out here to watch Aaron Jones play softball and the locals were having a blast,” said Parsons, who also plans to return to El Paso for a softball tournament on June 27. “I said I'll come back to El Paso. This is one of my favorite places. I'm happy to be back.”
Parsons' appearance wowed the campers, who lined up to have their picture taken with him before they moved on to practice. Though football practice was the highlight of the camp, Parsons said he wanted the campers to learn more than just football — he wanted them to learn about life.
“It's all about character. Character defines you,” Parsons said. “We're defined by our character, not our appearance. I want to teach them to compete and have fun in the game of football. I love the game of football. That's what it's all about.”
That message resonated with campers.
“I look up to him because I play the same position,” said Matthew Stevens, 15, a sophomore at Franklin High School. “It means a lot to me to learn from him. I hope I can love football a little more.”
Kaysen Jaquez had another message to convey to Parsons.
“I'm so happy and I want to thank my mom and dad for paying for it,” the 8-year-old said. “I can't wait to tell Micah Parsons that my uncle could beat him at arm wrestling.”
Benjamin Dominguez was happy to finally recognize the face of someone he knew as a video game character.
“Micah Parsons is number one on my football top list,” the 9-year-old said. “Every time I play Madden, I want to play against him.”
He was able to meet him in person on Monday.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com and on Twitter: @Bretbloomquist.
