Ex-Seahawk Rawls, other NFL alums to hold free local youth grid camp

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls is bringing a team of NFL alumni to La Conner on Monday.

Kari Mar
2–3 minutes

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls is bringing a team of NFL alumni to La Conner on Monday to host a youth football camp aimed at building skills, confidence, and connection.

The first annual Thomas Rawls Football Camp, open to youth ages 8–18, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the fields behind La Conner Elementary School. The event is presented by the Swinomish Boys & Girls Club, La Conner Schools, and local sponsors.

“This is strictly about La Conner,” Rawls said. “This community embraced me — and I want to pour back into it.”

A Seattle Seahawks running back, wearing jersey number 34, sprints forward holding a football tightly in his right arm during an NFL game. He wears navy blue and neon green gear, including gloves and cleats. Two Carolina Panthers defenders in white and teal uniforms lie on the turf behind him after a failed tackle attempt. A Seahawks player wearing number 31 is also on the ground, looking up as the play unfolds. The background shows a blurred stadium crowd dressed mostly in green and blue, watching intently.
Seattle’s Thomas Rawls breaks into the open with the help of blocks by the offensive line and tight end Nick Vannett during the second quarter. By halftime, Rawls had amassed 103 yards rushing. Photo courtesy of Rod Mar/Seattle Seahawks.

Rawls holds the Seahawks records for the most single game rushing yards by a rookie (209) and the most rushing yards by an undrafted first-year player in his first six games (711). He retired in 2019 and has since focused on his business, A+ Sugar-Free SeaMoss Lemonade — a wellness brand rooted in community health. But mentoring young people remains one of his top priorities. 

Joining Rawls are former Seahawks back Randall Morris, president of the NFL Alumni Pacific Northwest, and Kenny “Fly” Conley, a UW letter winner and ex-pro wide receiver.

“In addition to teaching football skills, the camp will be about having fun,” said Charlie Edwards, Swinomish Boys & Girls Club director. 

Rawls said he started visiting La Conner after meeting the Boys and Girls Club’s Alex Stewart at a football game in Auburn. He said Stewart came up to him and thanked him for his contributions to community and football. The two didn’t talk again until nearly a year later, when Rawls remembered the conversation and reached out. He’s since visited several times, including for the Blessing of the Fleet.

A smiling football player in a Seattle Seahawks uniform walks off the field, wearing neon green gloves and black eye paint under his eyes. The number 54 is prominently displayed on his jersey, and a tattoo is visible on his right arm. A large crowd fills the stadium stands behind him under bright lights, and a few people are on the field in the background. The atmosphere suggests the end of an NFL game, with fans and personnel moving about in celebration or transition.
Running back Thomas Rawls, who finished the night with 161 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, walks onto the field after the final whistle. Photo courtesy of Rod Mar/Seattle Seahawks.

“It wasn’t just autographs and pictures, but real connection,” he said. “It’s not going to be an intense workout. I’m teaching trust — and that you must be trustworthy before seeking it.”

Rawls said campers can expect three things: personal growth, emotional expression, and life learning skills. “I want kids to believe in their imagination and express themselves — on and off the field,” he said.

Register at the Swinomish Boys & Girls Club, 17275 Reservation Road, or contact Alex Stewart at 425-209-8122 or astewart@bgcsc.org. Early sign-up helps with T-shirt orders.

Kari Mar is editor and publisher of La Conner Community News.

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