Since he was little Kamren “Kam” Curl has had to overcome the doubters and skeptics who didn’t think he had what it took to advance to the next level. After a stellar football career at Muskogee High School, Kam had several college offers and when he chose the University of Arkansas (breaking the hearts of Sooner fans), some wondered if he could make it at a big school like that. But he started for the
Razorbacks for three years and made All-SEC twice. Then again when he was drafted as a junior by Washington into the National Football League, some wondered if he would make it past the taxi squad.

But now as he enters his fourth season as a starting safety for the Commanders, Kam Curl has never forgotten his roots and for the second year in a row recently came home to sponsor a youth backpack giveaway at the Martin Luther King Center.

“I just think back on when I was growing up and I didn’t have nothing like this so I just felt like since I’m in the position I am, I just want to come back and show my face so these kids know that someone that comes from the same place they do and looks like them can do something like I’m doing and give them hope,” said the soft spoken Curl who was inducted into the Muskogee Athletics Hall of Fame last fall.

Now as a senior member of the Commanders secondary, Curl watched as Washington used it’s two top draft picks this year to choose defensive backs Jartavius Martin from Illinois and Emmanuel Forbes from Mississippi State and, true to his competitive spirit, welcomes them.

“I think they’re just trying to get some young guys in here that can play and bring competition to the team because that brings out the best in everybody and improves our secondary,” said Curl who has been ranked among the top three safeties in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

While Washington has had it’s struggles since Curl’s arrival, the addition of Eric Bieniemy to the coaching staff as offensive coordinator and the arrival of new ownership expected later this month, Kam is optimistic about the Commander’s outlook for 2023 with training camp set to start at the end of July.

“I feel like this upcoming season is going to be a real good year for us with EB coming in to make our offense something to watch and we’re already looking better and faster in min-camps,” said Kam.

And for the kids he met that day at the Martin Luther King center, many of whom will start their fall practices in the coming weeks, Kam Curl had words of encouragement.

“Work hard. Keep God first and don’t listen to any doubters. You can do anything you put your mind to, but you’ve got to put the work in. It all starts with the work, for real.”