How DeAndre Hopkins refused to let bad weather ruin his first youth football camp in Nashville

NASHVILLE -- DeAndre Hopkins has shown his commitment to investing in the Nashville area on several occasions since signing a two-year, $26 million deal with the Tennessee Titans last year. The star receiver hosted his first local youth football camp on Sunday afternoon.

Hopkins looked like a member of The Beatles entering the Nissan Stadium concourse, greeted by kids and their families.

DeAndre Hopkins' commitment to youth engagement shines

Weather conditions, however, were less than cooperative. Just over 3% of the state was listed as abnormally dry, the lowest grade of drought three months ago, according to reporting done by the Tennessean . Over 54% of the state was in some level of drought, with 4% in a severe drought as of last Tuesday.

On the day of Hopkins' camp about thirty minutes before participants were preparing to take the field, the skies opened up and a lighting delay caused attendees to shelter indoors.

Hopkins was not about to let the first rain in weeks ruin the event. The receiver sent a text to Titans general manager Ran Carthon, asking if he could move the party over to the team's indoor practice facility for at least an hour. While they awaited instruction, Hopkins, receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tyjae Spears, quarterback Mason Rudolph and linebacker Otis Reese spent time taking questions from the crowd, signing autographs and making sure that every child got a picture with Hopkins.

"Ran being Ran, he gave me someone's number to make it work," said Hopkins. "Appreciate Ran for realizing that we got rained out (at Nissan), but these kids still want to go out and run around a little bit. Speaks to who Ran is."

DeAndre Hopkins profile elevates the Tennessee Titans and Nashville

Hopkins' coordinated with event organizers to ensure directions were distributed and moved the entire operation over to Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.

"DHop (Hopkins) and teammates out there," said one parent in attendance. "That was pretty damn cool of him. Could have packed it up and said 'Whatever.' A lot of respect."

When Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, he called team owner Michael Bidwill to ask for guidance on how Hopkins could become more involved in the community.

Pandemic donations were the start. Hopkins followed that up with a partnership with NFL FLAG to create the " DeAndre Hopkins NFL Flag Football League " in Arizona. Despite being released from the Cardinals last season, Hopkins and the team continue to work in conjunction to continue the league for local youth.

Hopkins uses his platform to elevate his team on the field and the surrounding area off of it everywhere he goes.

"It means a lot," Hopkins said. "These kids are everything. They are the future. Especially in Nashville, I wanted to do something that everyone could kind of be a part of. Hopefully, more events like this to come."

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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.