Cowboys' Micah Parsons Joins Longhorns Star for Special-Needs Kids Camp

Edge rusher Micah Parsons has been in the news quite a bit this offseason regarding his ongoing contract extension negotiations, but he's made it clear that he is focused on other things during the time leading up to when his Dallas Cowboys head to training camp in late July.

Parsons hosted the second-annual "Lion's Den" camp in Lubbock a few weeks ago. He has now hit the field again to impact the community closer to home in the South Dallas neighborhood of Duncanville.

The Cowboys star collaborated with Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons - whom he has mentored throughout his young career - to put on an impactful youth camp at Simmons' high school alma mater.

The event was hosted at Duncanville High School for children ages 6-17 with special needs. Simmons made sure to emphasize that the camp was about more than just football.

“I want to thank you for coming out and supporting,” Simmons said to kick off the camp on Saturday, June 28. “Today, let’s focus on having fun. I want everybody to have a smile on your face, and I want everybody to use all of your energy.”

Simmons' half brother, Clayton Roberts, has autism, which was motivated Simmons to foster a strong belief in equal opportunity and awareness for kids with disabilities.

“It’s just the love that I have for my little brother and the kids that are like him,” Simmons said via the Dallas Morning News. “I feel like it is a blessing to be able to do this and to be in the position I’m in right now. I owe it all to my mom, because at the end of the day, she is balancing me and my little brother.”

The Longhorns pass rusher, who was awarded the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year award this past season, also mentioned how appreciative he was to partner with a figure he looks up to in Parsons.

“Micah is my dog,” Simmons said. “He came to one of my high school games, and from there on we just built a relationship and built a connection. I’m really happy and excited that he came out here and showed some love.”

Micah added: "I want to support Colin and everything that he wants to do in his career. Hosting camps and coming back to this city, I think that is extremely important. Just being here with them and showing that we care."

The two pass rushers will continue to dominate opposing offenses with full hearts after an offseason giving back to the community.