Tyler Boyd Shares Insights from Youth Football Camp, Empowering Clairton Bears Community

Tyler Boyd finished his Pitt career as the all-time leader in receptions (254) and receiving yards (3,361).

He was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, owns two 1,000-yard seasons, and caught five passes in Super Bowl LVI.

Boyd is one of the most decorated Western Pennsylvania athletes this century, but giving back to the Clairton community is one of Boyd’s most lasting accomplishments.

Boyd held his eighth “Tyler Boyd Youth Football Camp” on Saturday morning in Clairton.

“It’s been a pleasure,” Boyd said. “A dream come true to give back to my community. This is the stomping grounds. It’s not much, but this field, this team, this is what drives the city. Low poverty, low income. This is why you do it. I’m in the best position to give back, and I’m going to always continue to do so.”

Clairton won 4 WPIAL and PIAA titles in Boyd’s time with the Bears and finished 63-1. In September 2024, Clairton announced it would rename Neil C. Brown Stadium after Boyd as part of its ongoing renovations.

“It’s very surreal that the stadium is named after me,” Boyd said. “That’s something you really don’t get until you retire… I’m very appreciative of everything.

“It’s a dream come true. I never could in a million years thought that I could come this far. I’m a part of something that everyone younger than me is going to remember me.”

Boyd finished as the fifth leading rusher in WPIAL history (5,755) and a WPIAL record 117 total touchdowns. ProCamps, along with other community members, assisted Boyd in running the camp. 200-250 players participated in this year’s festivities, which included camp awards.

“Keeping the kids entertained. That’s vital to keep kids correlated in one big space when you have 200-250 kids,” Boyd said. “They’re doing a great job of keeping the kids together and having fun.

“It’s about leadership. We’re not looking for the best kid; we’re looking for all the kids to leave with some type of leadership, team camaraderie, and unselfishness. We want kids to grow regardless if they’re playing football or not. I want all of them to be successful.”

Earlier this week, two Clairton football players were killed in a shooting in Pitcairn. Isiah McCarthy and Tyrant Sutton were both only 16 years old.

“Blessings to their families,” Boyd said. “It’s so small of a town; the one attribute about this community is unity. We always find a way to come back together and do something positive. It’s always been that way when I was growing up.

There’s nothing really positive here in Clairton. You’re either going to pick sports or the streets. I want everybody to lean towards the positive ways, whether it’s to go to school to be a doctor or whatever you want to be. Or football’s going to keep you out of trouble, play sports.”

Boyd took his success from Clairton to Pitt, winning first-team All-ACC accolades twice and third-team All-American by Phil Steele in his junior year. Boyd closed his Panther career second in all-purpose yards (5,243) behind Tony Dorsett (7,117).

“It’s not guaranteed for everybody to make it to the league, but I’m going to do everything I can to help grow that population to give kids the opportunity to get to where I am now,” Boyd said.

Boyd said one big lesson he would tell the youth campers is to be a great teammate. He mentioned how only certain people are cut out to be great leaders, but everyone can be a great teammate.

Could Boyd return to Clairton as a coach? He said he’s asked a lot.

“I have a few more years in me, but I can definitely see myself coming back and coaching,” Boyd said.

Before he returns, Boyd believes he has a few more years left to play in the NFL. Boyd mentioned he would “definitely” like to play for the Steelers if the opportunity presented itself.

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