For the second year in a row, football fans from as far away as New York and California converged on Arrowhead Stadium to participate in the Kansas City Chiefs Fantasy Camp, a benefit for the Center for Concussion Management at The University of Kansas Hospital.
Dozens of campers, each wearing a personalized Chiefs game jersey, had the chance to experience everything a Chiefs player goes through, from dressing at their own stall in the locker room to watching game films with former Chiefs head coach Dick Vermiel, to working on different football skills on the field under the guidance of former Chiefs players, to being introduced by name as they entered the playing field from the tunnel, just like on game day.
Former Chiefs players Shawn Barber, Anthony Davis, Trent Green, Tim Grunhard, Dante Hall, Eddie Kennison, Nick Lowery, Christian Okoye, Will Shields and Jan Stenerud guided the campers at various skill stations around the playing field, and acted as team captains as the campers competed in the 7 on 7 flag football tournament.
The camp began Tuesday night as the participants gathered for dinner, cocktails and a live auction with the former Chiefs players and coaches.
Last year’s fantasy camp raised nearly $90,000, which organizers hope to improve on this year. The money raised will be used to improve access to concussion testing, community care and education.
Video below includes sound from Duaine Hood from Overland Park, Kansas, a veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury, and from David Vitale, who came from Manhattan, New York to take part in the camp. The video is followed by various shots from the camp on Wednesday, August 26.