Joel Bitonio and Austin Corbett return to Reno for the annual soccer camp

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The third year of Joel Bitonio and Austin Corbett's youth soccer camp took place on the University of Nevada campus Saturday morning. The former Wolf Pack linemen took the time to visit hundreds of children who dream of playing for Nevada and in the National Football League.

“While we're here signing autographs, these kids couldn't talk about how much fun it was,” Corbett exclaimed. “It’s a great time for us to hang out and talk and tell stories with these kids.”

Bitonio felt the same way.

“Our college career started on this field (at Mackay Stadium) and for the youth of Reno and surrounding areas, it's fun to play on a college campus and see people like Austin who come from here, I went to school here went and managed to interact with the children. For us, it is a great experience to give back to the community and be a part of it. We appreciate what they have done for us and the community, so this is just one small thing for us to give back.”

Both players also met with new Wolf Pack head coach Jeff Choate.

“I think he’s the right guy,” Bitonio said of Choate’s credentials. “He brings good energy, he seems passionate, he seems interested in the work and the guys that have come before. For me and Corbs, this was based on the history of Union and the teams and what coach Ault has done to build this program and he is grateful for that and wants to make the guys coming back proud of that.”

Corbett recognizes the uphill battle Choate faces.

“To finally get to know him in person, to feel his energy and his passion for the game, he understands where the program is and that it's been a struggle here. He accepts this challenge and I think he is the one who overcomes it. I'm happy for him. To be here and see what they have been working on for this spring game is great.”

Entering his 11th NFL season with the Cleveland Browns, Bitonio is one of the game's best interior offensive linemen.

Corbett is recovering from a knee injury and is entering his seventh and third season with the Carolina Panthers.

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