Canary Simmons knows what it means to be counted out. After graduating from Bellaire High School in 2021 with no scholarship offers, his dream of playing college football seemed like it might end before it began.
But the former Texas Southern University free safety refused to quit. He walked on to the team, grinded through two seasons to earn a full scholarship, and now gives back through his second annual youth football camp.
For Simmons, it’s no longer just about football; it’s about reaching the next generation of athletes who remind him of the fight he once faced.
As a senior during the COVID-19 pandemic, Simmons faced more than the usual challenges.
“It felt like the clock was ticking and I was running out of options,” said Simmons. “Seeing my peers celebrate their college commitments and post their offers on social media was tough. I was happy for them, but it was hard not to feel overlooked or forgotten.”
Simmons stayed grounded through faith and hard work, believing his opportunity would come. Giving up was never on the table.
“Football wasn’t just a sport, it was an outlet,” said Simmons. “I knew if there was even the slightest opportunity to keep playing, I had to take it. I couldn’t let temporary circumstances define my future.”
He reminded himself often that everyone’s journey is different.
“Don’t compare your path to anyone else’s. Keep showing up, keep grinding and most importantly, stay ready,” said Simmons. “When that door opens, you want to be the one already standing at it, prepared to walk through.”
And Simmons stayed ready. As a freshman, he walked on at Texas Southern, earning a partial football scholarship before his sophomore season, then a full scholarship heading into his junior season.
During that same year, his parents’ advice to always give back began to take root.
“The idea for the camp took shape during the spring semester of my junior year in 2024,” said Simmons. “By then, I had stepped into more of a leadership role on the team and started reflecting on how far I’d come. I knew there were young athletes out there who just needed a little guidance like I once did.”
He remembered when he needed more tools, exposure and mentorship as a young athlete. So, he built those elements into his camp as preparation not just for football but also for life.
“Texas Southern felt like the natural home for the camp,” said Simmons. “It’s where my journey as a college athlete truly began and the university has supported me tremendously. I wanted the kids to feel the energy and culture of TSU and to know that this could one day be their home too.”
Simmons’s message to the athletes attending his camp is simple: never give up.
“Even when the odds seem stacked against you,” said Simmons, “hard work, consistency and faith will always take you further than you think. Football is a temporary gift. Take every rep seriously and make the most of the time you have.”
While many youth camps today prioritize views and viral content, Simmons’ youth football camp allows athletes to go through drills that reflect what they’ll encounter at the collegiate level while also emphasizing academics, character and accountability.
“I keep it real with them,” said Simmons. “Coaches are looking at who you are when nobody’s watching. It’s important to make the most of every opportunity, even when you’re not the starter. Being coachable can take you a long way. I want our camp to be a space where these athletes can not only improve their game but also ask questions, learn life skills and build relationships that last beyond the field.”
Simmons credits Mr. James Upton of the National Playmaker Academy (NPA) for being one of the earliest mentors to instill that mindset in him.
“He introduced me to the grind, the discipline and what it truly takes to play at the next level,” said Simmons. “He saw something in me that many didn’t.”
For 11-year-old camper Domini Martin and 6-year-old brother Kyng Martin, attending the camp for the second year has already made an impression.
“They love the drills and seeing college athletes on the same field,” said Dominique Martin, Domini and Kyng’s father. “It’s important to expose them to different settings. They love football and it’s great to have players still playing the game, coaching players playing the game.”
Simmons hopes athletes leave camp with more than improved footwork or catching technique.
“I want them to feel motivated and confident. To know they have what it takes as long as they’re willing to put in the work.”
Canary Simmons
“I want them to feel motivated and confident,” said Simmons. “To know they have what it takes as long as they’re willing to put in the work.”
What started as a simple idea has grown into a vision Simmons sees lasting well beyond his playing days.
“I see the camp becoming a full weekend experience, maybe even a three-day event,” said Simmons. “Football, mentorship panels, workshops and college prep sessions. That’s where I want to take it.”
While football success is often measured in stats and highlight reels, Simmons has his own definition of winning.
“Success is who you are when things get hard. It’s how you treat people. It’s whether you’re making a positive impact in your community,” said Simmons. “I’ve walked in these kids’ shoes. I know what it’s like to be overlooked, to want more and to chase a dream. Now, to be someone they can look up to, talk to and learn from is an honor I don’t take lightly.”
