FOOTBALL: Koenen camp sees increase in numbers

The NFL's ongoing lockout has hung an ominous cloud over the state of the league. But while labor disputes have placed an obscure hold on the 2011 NFL season, Atlanta Falcons punter Michael Koenen spent Saturday, June 25, giving back to the Whatcom community youth on a sunny day of unadulterated football fun.

"Days like today bring it back to why sports is not all about business," Koenen said. "This camp teaches kids to compete the right way, and a lockout can't stop that."

Koenen, a Ferndale and Western Washington University graduate, has been a member of the Atlanta Falcons since the 2005 NFL season, and on Saturday, Koenen put on his free of charge third annual Michael Koenen All-Star NFL Football Kids Camp, much to the pleasure of many awestruck third to eighth graders.