‘Means everything to me,’ NFL trainer Jeremy Hills gives back with free youth football camp in hometown of Alief

HOUSTON – Growing up in Alief as a prep All-American running back, Jeremy Hills put down roots that have carried him throughout his career as a former Texas Longhorns player to, now, in his role as an elite trainer and business owner.

The founder and president of the Kollective held a free youth football camp Saturday night in his hometown at Crump Stadium, where he was joined by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu, Miami Dolphins linebacker David Long Jr., Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed, his older brother, former NFL offensive tackle Tony Hills, former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson, Alief Taylor graduate and NFL defensive back Joshua Kalu, NFL and NBA trainer Justin Allen and several other contributors.

“It means everything to me,” Hills said. “I spent the first 18 years of my life here before I was fortunate to go on to play ball at UT. Coming back here, doing this here, is special to me because these kids don’t get this kind of opportunity and exposure. They don’t know what this is like. We get the opportunity to challenge them and make them compete and introduce the expectation to them and see what we walk away with.”

Johnson, 41, is retired from the NFL after being drafted in the first round by Kansas City in 2005 and being named to four Pro Bowls. He was a consensus All-American for the Longhorns.

“Football is a hard sport,” Johnson said. “I’ve been through a lot in college and the NFL and had a lo tof success. Being able to give them some nuggets and wisdom and keys to help the younger generation to be great, it’s about giving back. At the end of the day, it’s about being able to give them something along the way.”

Johnson was excited to interact with Long and Speed, two fast linebackers.

“I just saw David Long and I told him I’m a fan,” Johnson said. “Being an older guy, watching really athletic linebackers do their thing, I love it. I was an athletic linebacker. Seeing a guy like David Long gives me hope for the generation coming up behind me. It’s pretty cool.”

Omenihu, a former Texans fifth-round draft pick from Texas who grew up in Rowlett, earned a Super Bowl ring in his first season with the Chiefs.

“It’s always good to pass on knowledge for the youth and show your face and shake hands,” Omenihu said. “Just to inspire, bro, it’s always a good thing.”

Long, a Cincinnati native who attended West Virginia and joined the Dolphins last year on a two-year, $11 million contract, imparted knowledge about how to play linebacker.

“I just want to be an example,” Long said. “I’ve been there with them. It’s better to get to the kids young and show them. There are so many opportunities. It was important to get out here. It’s awesome to get to know these kids and be an example.”

Speed is a former Colts fifth-round draft pick from Tarleton State.

Signed to a two-year, $8 million extension, Speed recorded 102 tackles with one sack and three forced fumbles last season.

“J-Hills has always been a guy of the community,” Speed said. “He preaches to win every day. It’s something I strongly agree with. When he told me he was throwing something in his hometown, I had to come out I’m passionate about kids.

“I have a lot of fun with the game. The quicker you can learn the details as a child, I wish I had that. The quicker they can learn, the better off they’ll be and learn how to really play the game and it will be a dope experience for them.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.