By: Malachi Morton
South Jersey has produced some of the biggest names in professional sports. From NFL stars to one of the best baseball players of this generation, the region has seen athletes accomplish things that many young kids can only dream of. But for some of these athletes, their biggest accomplishments aren’t just about what they do on the field. It’s also about what they do for the communities that helped them get there.
Haason Reddick, Mike Trout, and Jonathan Taylor are three professional athletes who have made their mark in sports while also finding ways to give back to South Jersey. Whether it’s hosting camps for young athletes, helping families, or creating opportunities for students, each has shown that success can mean more than just winning.
For Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout, South Jersey will always be home.
Growing up in Millville, New Jersey, Trout was once a young baseball player with dreams of making it to the major leagues. Today, he is a three-time American League Most Valuable Player and one of the most recognizable players in baseball. But despite everything he has accomplished, Trout has continued to show his support for the area where his journey began.
On Oct. 11, 2026, Trout returned to South Jersey for a youth baseball camp at Total Turf Experience in Gloucester County. The event brought together approximately 200 young baseball players who had the opportunity to learn from one of the biggest names in the sport.
According to 6abc Philadelphia, Trout spoke about growing up in a small town and how much it meant to return to the area to work with young athletes.
For the children attending, the camp offered an opportunity to learn from a professional athlete who grew up in South Jersey and played baseball in the same region before becoming one of the best players in Major League Baseball.
Trout attended Millville Senior High School before being selected by the Angels in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft. Since then, he has won three MVP awards and become one of the faces of the sport.
For a young baseball player growing up in Millville or anywhere else in South Jersey, seeing someone like Trout return home can be meaningful. It shows that no matter how big the stage gets, remembering where you came from still matters.
And while not every child who attended the camp will make it to the major leagues, the experience of learning from someone like Trout could be something they remember for the rest of their lives.
Trout isn’t the only South Jersey athlete who understands the importance of giving back.
Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick has also made it a priority to support the community where he grew up.
Reddick’s journey to the NFL started in Camden, New Jersey. He attended Haddon Heights High School before continuing his football career at Temple University. He was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
After playing for the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, Reddick joined the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became one of the team’s most important defensive players during its run to Super Bowl LVII.
For Eagles fans across South Jersey, watching someone from Camden become a star for their favorite football team was something special. But Reddick’s impact goes beyond the sacks, tackles, and big plays he made on Sundays.
He has continued to give back to Camden through youth football camps and community events.
In July 2024, Reddick hosted his seventh annual youth football camp, bringing together more than 400 children from Camden and surrounding communities.
According to Camden County officials, the camp gave young athletes the opportunity to learn football skills while spending time with someone who had once been in their position. For kids growing up in Camden, Reddick’s journey from local high school football to the NFL offers an example of what can be achieved through dedication and perseverance.
But Reddick’s work in the community hasn’t stopped with football. According to the Philadelphia Eagles, Reddick previously donated $15,000 worth of toys to 200 Camden families during the holiday season.
For those families, the donation provided gifts during the holiday season and demonstrated how a professional athlete could use his success to support his community.
Reddick has also participated in events focused on keeping children active and bringing families together. His continued involvement in Camden reflects a commitment to supporting the community where his journey began.
While Reddick has focused on supporting children and families through football and community events, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has found another way to make an impact.
Taylor grew up in Salem, New Jersey, where he became one of the state’s top high school football players. After an outstanding career at Salem High School, he went on to play college football at the University of Wisconsin. At Wisconsin, Taylor became one of the best running backs in college football before being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Since entering the NFL, Taylor has established himself as one of the league’s most talented running backs. But while his football career has brought him national recognition, he has also made an effort to support students from his hometown.
In 2020, Taylor launched the Be The Change scholarship program, which was created to help college-bound Black student-athletes graduating from Salem High School. According to the Indianapolis Colts, the program was designed to provide financial assistance to students while encouraging them to continue their education.
For Taylor, giving back isn’t only about helping young athletes become better football players. It’s also about helping them prepare for their futures. While thousands of high school athletes dream of playing professionally, only a small percentage will ever get that opportunity.
For eligible students at Salem High School, Taylor’s scholarship program was designed to provide financial assistance as they pursued their education. College can be expensive, and financial challenges can make it difficult for students to continue their education. Programs like Taylor’s can help create opportunities for young people who are trying to take the next step in their lives.
Taylor was once a student-athlete attending the same high school as the students his program was created to support. After making it to the NFL, he found a way to help others pursue their own goals.
And that’s what makes the stories of Trout, Reddick, and Taylor so important.
All three athletes grew up in different parts of South Jersey. They played different sports, attended different schools, and took different paths to reach the professional level. But despite those differences, they share something in common. They have used their success to give back to the communities that helped shape them.
South Jersey has always been an area where sports bring people together. From Friday night high school football games to youth baseball tournaments and basketball games, sports are a major part of communities throughout the region.
For many young athletes, playing professionally is the ultimate dream. They grow up watching their favorite players on television, wearing their jerseys, and imagining what it would be like to compete on the same stage. Sometimes, seeing a professional athlete who grew up in your hometown can make that dream feel even more possible.
A young baseball player in Millville can look at Mike Trout and see someone who started in the same community. A football player growing up in Camden can look at Haason Reddick and see someone who made it to the NFL. And a student-athlete in Salem can look at Jonathan Taylor and see someone who not only made it professionally but also created an opportunity to help students build a future for themselves.
Their stories show that professional athletes can have an impact that goes far beyond what fans see during games. For the children who attended Trout’s baseball camp, the experience could be something that motivates them to keep playing. For the families Reddick has helped in Camden, his contributions have provided support during important moments. And for the students Taylor’s scholarship program was created to assist, financial support could help them continue their education.
Not every young athlete growing up in South Jersey will become the next Mike Trout, Haason Reddick, or Jonathan Taylor. But their efforts show that making a difference doesn’t always require becoming a professional athlete.
Sometimes, it starts with giving someone an opportunity, helping a family, or encouraging a young person to keep chasing their dreams. And while reaching the professional level is an accomplishment on its own, what these three athletes have done shows that success can mean something much bigger.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about how many games you win, how many touchdowns you score, or how many home runs you hit. It’s about the impact you leave behind and the people you help along the way. In those moments, the athletes who once looked up to others become examples for the next generation, helping young people find their own paths to success.
- Beyond the Game: The South Jersey Pros Making a Difference Off the Field
- When South Jersey Goes Dark
- What Happens to Glassboro When College Students Leave?
This article was produced as part of Follow South Jersey’s student journalism program, which provides aspiring journalists with practical experience in professional news reporting and writing.
