YOUNGSTOWN — An NFL coach who grew up in Youngstown came back to the area on Saturday for a free youth football camp at YSU’s Watts Stadium.
Justin Hood, secondary coach for the Atlanta Falcons, worked with 6th through 8th-grade students and football players to learn about leadership, football fundamentals, and having a positive mindset.
The football camp was hosted by The Audible Project, a youth foundation founded by Hood, to help the Chaney High School graduates give back to the community.
“I’m from Youngstown, I grew up in Youngstown,” Hood said. “When I got here, it was really just a matter of, ‘how can I help? How can I inspire? How can I make sure that these young people see people that are successful, positive light and come from the places that they’re from and still go achieve their goals?”
Justin Hood, Youngstown native and secondary coach for the Atlanta Falcons
Hood grew up on the south and west sides of Youngstown before graduating from Chaney High School in 2004.
He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Ashland University in 2008 and his Master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 2013, according to the Atlanta Falcons’ website.
Hood was named the Atlanta Falcons’ secondary coach on Feb. 3, 2024
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