Atlanta Falcons defensive end Morgan Fox is helped to his feet during a youth football camp at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 12, 2025. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Young athletes from as far away as South Korea gathered recently at this airlift hub in western Tokyo for an NFL Pro Camp hosted by Morgan Fox, a defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons.

The two-day camp gave young players a chance to run drills and play games under the guidance of volunteer coaches and Fox, an eight-year NFL veteran who previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers before signing with the Falcons in March.

“I am really excited to be here today — it’s great and at the end of the day I just want to be able to show football to these kids and show what I know and try to impart some wisdom, some knowledge,” Fox told Stars and Stripes on the field Saturday.

About 80 boys and girls, ages 6 to 14, from U.S. military communities in Japan — including Yokota, Yokosuka Naval Base and Camp Zama — attended the camp. One participant traveled from Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Morgan Fox runs to catch a ball during a youth football camp at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 12, 2025. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)

Young athletes run a 40-yard dash during a camp with NFL star Morgan Fox at Yokota Air Base, Japan, on April 13, 2025. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Morgan Fox huddles with volunteer coaches during a football camp for youngsters at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 13, 2025. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)

The clinic, part of NFL Pro Camps, is sponsored by Procter & Gamble, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and the Defense Commissary Agency at military installations worldwide. Campers participated in football drills, two-hand touch games and athletic competitions.

Fox said the weekend was also about teaching life skills.

“Not even just about football, but about competing smart with each other, hanging out and learning to make friends,” he said. “I think one of the best things for me was being a military kid and I was able to learn to make friends in every locker room I have been in because of that.”

His father, Joe Fox, is an Army veteran of the Iraq War. He retired in 2006 after 15 years of service due to traumatic brain injuries caused by an improvised explosive device, he told the University of Colorado in an April 2024 interview.

In a video posted to the Chargers’ website, the elder Fox discussed the long-term impact of those injuries, including thoughts of suicide, and his decision to seek support through the Wounded Warrior Project.

The nonprofit organization provides care and resources for post-9/11 wounded, ill or injured service members, including mental health services and rehabilitative care.

Joe Fox later earned a degree from Colorado State University and became a training manager with Project Odyssey, a Wounded Warrior program focused on mental health, according to the 2024 interview.

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Morgan Fox poses with young athletes during a football camp at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 12, 2025. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)

His son offered some advice to the aspiring players at Yokota.

“Don’t be afraid to move and don’t be afraid to work; at the end of the day, they will find talent, so if you want to chase being a football player and you are a military kid, chase it,” Morgan Fox said.

Many parents said they were grateful for the opportunity.

Jack McAlroy, a ninth-grader at Yokota High School, is preparing for his first season of football, according to his father, Col. David McAlroy, operations director for 5th Air Force.

“He’s excited getting to talk to a real NFL player,” he said. “We really appreciate everybody who put this thing on and made it happen at Yokota.”

On Sunday, the camp concluded with medals awarded to the top teams in each age group. Prizes were also handed out for individual competitions.

“Not a lot of kids get opportunities to do camps like these and to be a part of that experience is really important,” volunteer coach Jacob Love, said at the field on a rainy Sunday.