Fred Baxter is returning to his old stomping grounds to instill academic excellence in kids who play the game of football.

Baxter, along with several of his former NFL teammates, will host the first annual Fred Baxter Football Camp June 27-28 at Bulldog Stadium in Brundidge.

Baxter attended Pike County High school from 1986-89 and won a state championship. His other accolades include a SEC Championship at Auburn University in 1989 and a Super Bowl with the 2002-03 New England Patriots.

Baxter knows how to win and wants to show all the kids who attend his camp the same winning attitude he had. He said it has been a long time since he has returned to his hometown and wants to give back.

“Brundidge is where it all started for me and a winning tradition was started before me at Pike County High School and I want to continue that tradition,” Baxter said. His goal is to have 100 kids attend, but all are welcome.

The camp will teach the kids football fundamentals such as speed, agility, technique and safety. Baxter will be bringing with him former NFL players, whom he played with and against. Also, coaches from area high schools, colleges and NFL coaches.

The retired NFL players he plans to bring with him are safety Chris Atkins, his teammate with the New England Patriots, defensive end Bobby Hamilton, his teammate with the New York Jets and Patriots, and tight end Victor Hall, his teammate with the Auburn Tigers. Hall played with Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts.

Pike County’s head football coach, Fred Holland, played with Baxter on the Bulldogs state championship team in 1988.

“Myself and coach Holland want to influence the kids to move forward in life, academically and be students of the game,” Baxter said. He wants the campers to leave with three things: leadership, public service and career preparation.

Holland, himself an accomplished football player in his high school days, said Baxter’s camp will bring nothing but good things those who attend.

“Fred is a Brundidge boy through and through,” said Holland. “He is proof that hard work pays off. He wants to show every player that no matter where you come from, you can achieve good things if you are willing to work hard.”

Baxter’s favorite memory from high school football was winning the state championship in 1988. His team went undefeated and he said the hard work and team building was memorable as well.

“The day I got drafted, lasting 12 years in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl are my favorite memories of being a professional,” he said.

Between being a high school state champion, SEC champion, and Super Bowl champion Baxter says no one is greater than the other.

“All of these build on top of each other like a stepping stone and I was fortunate to be apart of these great teams,” he said.

The camp will be held June 27-28 at Bulldog Stadium. It will start at 9:30 a.m. with introductions. Campers can pre-register with Laterah Baxter by calling 334-672-2452 or Fred Holland at 334-403-2392. Late registration will be from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at Bulldog Stadium.