DJ Williams hosted free football camp for more than 100 kids on Wednesday

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois quarterback DJ Williams continued his annual tradition of honoring the legacy of a dear, childhood friend, by hosting a free football camp at Saluki Stadium on Wednesday.

More than 100 kids enjoyed the two-hour skills and agility camp, an event that Williams started three years ago in memory of Jacquice Baylock, who was killed July 1, 2020, in their hometown of Chicago.

“I love honoring my childhood friend, his legacy, and the things that we were able to do growing up, like coming to camps like this at a young age,” Williams explained. “We were able to learn from a lot of different collegiate and professional athletes firsthand. It has always been something that I really felt like helped me as a kid.”

Williams remains close with Baylock’s mother, LaToya Newman, who helped pass out free t-shirts to campers before the event and free pizza afterward. She frequently attends Saluki games in Carbondale to support Williams.

“There's been some rough times for both of us dealing with the heartbreak of losing somebody that we love at a young age,” Williams said. “It lifts her up to see her son's legacy, his name live on, all the way here in Carbondale, not just back home where we're from, but spreading the story of what he meant to me and the talent that he was to another community that brought me in.”

Last week, Williams held the same event, the DJ Williams/Baylock Elites Camp, at his hometown school, Thornton High School in Chicago.

“The biggest joy I get out of this camp is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces,” he said. “A lot of them come up to me and talk about the Saluki games they’ve been to and seeing the things I've done on the field. It’s good to just give back to the community that shows up for me.”

Williams is coming off an All-American season at SIU and surprised some by returning to Southern for his senior year. Loyalty is ingrained in Williams, and it’s not just talk. During his visit to Thornton High School, he announced a $5,000 donation to his alma mater in support of new head coach Jalen Banks, who previously coached running backs at Indiana State.

“I was blessed with some financial freedom this year, blessed with some money that I haven't been able to thank God enough for, some money that I can help others with,” Williams said. “I believe in Coach Banks wholeheartedly, but I believe in a community and a plan that they have set up to get that program back to where it started.”

Williams said the Thornton football program had already reached its $5,000 fundraising goal, and he simply matched it.

“If I can be an extended hand for those kids and the program that built me, I'm gonna do that anytime I can,” he said. "My biggest thing is giving back to the youth and the community that helped me get to where I am now.”