Clowney, Hope help young Rock Hill players sharpen football skills

The Sylvia Circle Demons football league concluded its three-day skills camp on Saturday with a 7-on-7 tournament.

Kids ranging in age from 5 to 14 competed by age group in a single-elimination tournament.

After the games concluded, the league honored Rock Hill native and current NFL player Johnathan Joseph by retiring his No. 12 jersey.

Joseph was unable to attend due to a family emergency, but his Houston Texans teammate and Rock Hill native Jadeveon Clowney accepted the jersey on his behalf.

The Demons host the summer skills camp each year and play a league format each fall. Football players and coaches from South Pointe, Northwestern and Rock Hill High work skill sessions, coach and referee games.

The league has produced many star college players, and several NFL players have come up through its ranks – including Clowney, Joseph, Chris Hope and Stephon Gilmore – who often return to help with the camp.

This story was originally published June 18, 2016 at 8:12 PM with the headline "Clowney, Hope help young Rock Hill players sharpen football skills."