LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE3/LEX 18) – Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick set out to help out at football camps for young players in Kentucky. Today’s camp was scheduled in Louisville, and tomorrow’s in Lexington.
But the initial hosts, a public school in each city, backed out after a group protested.
Days later, St. Stephens Church in Louisville decided to take over the camp to teach a valuable lesson.
Community leaders at the church say they wanted to offer up their new field to the camp because they believe in second chances, and they didn’t want hundreds of kids missing out on a influential opportunity.
Camp organizers say animal rights groups tried to stop the camp from coming because of Vick’s dog fighting conviction from more than a decade ago.
One church member says for them, and the kids, shutting the camp down wasn’t an option.
“I love the motto we give second chances and what better theme to the whole story that we also gave this camp a second chance,” said Langston Gaither with St. Stephens.
More than 600 kids participated in the free camp today.
