Milwaukee-native NFL players Eric Murray and Dare Ogunbowale are reuniting this summer in their hometown for a free football camp, “The MIL,” on Saturday, June 14.
The two were both on the Houston Texans’ roster in 2022, where they discussed the idea of hosting a football camp to empower Milwaukee’s youth. Years later, they’re on different teams but the foundation for the idea was set. And the football camp is coming to fruition this weekend.
“We just have so much pride being from Milwaukee,” Ogunbowale said. “So being able to do this is special for us.”
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Ogunbowale, a graduate of Marquette University High School, and Murray, a Riverside alumnus, will set up their operation at Vincent High School’s football field, laid with synthetic turf.
The MIL is set to be split into two sessions. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Murray and Ogunbowale will work with rising sixth to eighth graders and their families, while the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. session will be tailored to high schoolers.
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On the field, participants can look forward to position-specific drills led by the NFL veterans, as well as 7-on-7 competition. Each camper will also receive a commemorative T-shirt and assorted giveaways.
“Just getting to see kids being active and out there playing football and enjoying themselves, it’ll be an unforgettable moment for sure,” Murray said.
But the camp’s lessons are not bound by the sidelines, as Ogunbowale and Murray will also share messages of leadership and resilience, encouraging success off the playing field as well. Also part of the workshop, they will share light programming around literacy and academics for the kids and their guardians.
“We only have them for three hours,” Murray said. “It’s only so much we can do. So, if that message can be preached and then reinforced as they go forward, I think this camp will be more successful than just spending the day with us.”
The message of resiliency is one that has pulled weight on their respective careers, having faced adversity and trials on their paths to the pinnacle of professional football. For Murray, it was important to find strength in perseverance and committing to hard work, not being intimidated by the talents of those he shared the field with.
For Ogunbowale, it was perseverance in finding confidence, which has grown into a mindset of hard work and discipline. In November 2023, the longtime running back became the first non-kicker to make an NFL field goal since 2004, giving the Texans a late lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the team’s emergency kicker.
“The important part is to have that confidence in yourself, knowing that you’re good enough – and that’ll make sure that you stay resilient,” Ogunbowale said.
Additionally, the off-the-field programming will feature opportunities for campers to learn how to take care of themselves, including following structure and acknowledging nutrition. Participants will have the opportunity to do blind taste tests for assorted fruit, learning their own preferences for organic eating to build a healthy lifestyle.
“It’s kind of crazy the way we ate as kids,” Ogunbowale said. “Having that knowledge and seeing the importance and actually hearing it from people that need to take care of our bodies as part of our job, I feel like that’ll be good to impart on these kids because I wish I would have known how important that actually was.”
Ogunbowale said the reception to the camp has been positive, as several individuals plan to attend even without children participating, making it an event for the whole community.
The camp is a continuation of philanthropic efforts from the Milwaukee-grown duo, who are committed to growing their community. Ogunbowale has worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Milwaukee and Special Olympics, while Murray, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is working to build a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on growth and youth development in underserved communities.
The NFL duo hopes to make the camp an annual event in Milwaukee, and as a result, Murray and Ogunbowale will spend the first installment looking to learn and grow in their service.
“You’re always working on yourself – nobody’s a finished product,” Murray said. “So, we’re always looking to improve in any form, shape or fashion and that’s how we’re gonna approach it.”
That goal of self-improvement will be dually imparted in camp participants, who Murray and Ogunbowale seek to share resilience, determination and leadership with. Those messages, signaling success on and off the field, will travel from NFL pros to the ears of the community, including those that aspire to be the next set of stars hailing from Milwaukee.
Registration information for The MIL can be found here.
