Former Tennessee Volunteers safety Todd Kelly Jr. has turned a personal tragedy into a yearly rite of passage for young athletes in Knoxville. Each summer, he opens the doors of Camp 24, a youth football camp that blends skill drills with a deeper focus on character development.
The inspiration behind the camp is the memory of Zaevion Dobson, a 15‑year‑old who died in 2015 while shielding his friends from gunfire. Kelly, who once wore Dobson’s No. 24 jersey on the field, now wears the same number as a tribute and as a reminder of the values the slain teenager embodied.
Honoring a Hero
Zaevion’s story resonates far beyond the gridiron. His mother, Zenobia Dobson, travels from East Knoxville each year to share her son’s love of the game and to keep his spirit alive among the campers. Her presence adds a palpable emotional weight to the event, turning each drill into a tribute.
The camp is not run in isolation. It is bolstered by community sponsors and current Volunteers players who lend their time to run drills, sign autographs, and mentor the next generation. Four members of the current Tennessee roster spent a recent Saturday leading exercises and posing for photos, illustrating the continuity of support.
Beyond the physical training, Camp 24 emphasizes lessons that extend into the classroom and the neighborhood. Kelly stresses being a good teammate, maintaining discipline, and learning how to listen — qualities he says are essential for any young person aspiring to make a positive impact.
For many participants, the camp represents more than football; it is a chance to connect with mentors who have walked the same streets of East Knoxville. Sidney Walton, a former Karns star turned walk‑on at Tennessee, calls Kelly a mentor and cites the camp’s mission as the reason he returns each year.
Looking Forward
As the sun sets over the fields of Knoxville, the echoes of Camp 24 linger, promising a future where the legacy of a young hero continues to shape the lives of countless youths. The camp stands as a testament to how sport, community, and remembrance can intersect to create lasting change.