BOONTON, N.J. -- The crowds follow Odell Beckham Jr. everywhere these days. Whether it’s Germany, England, New York or his inaugural football camp, the fans flock.
There were 250 kids Tuesday at Boonton High School for the Citi Odell Beckham Jr. Football Pro Camp. That was nothing compared to the almost 3,000 fans who came out to greet Beckham in Munich, Germany, last week. Fans were packed like sardines to meet the Giants star; a young girl overheated from the madness to meet the rock star wide receiver.
"It was crazy to be out there, to see the amount of people," Beckham said at his football camp in New Jersey two days before the New York Giants report for the start of training camp. "There were over 3,000 people [in Germany]. They said they were lined up since 8 o’clock [in the morning]. I wish I could have sat there and signed it all for them.
"I didn’t think in Munich, Germany, at 23 years old, that people would really know who I am and be there, but one little girl almost fainted in a store. [She] really had to cool off and get ice. Another kid was in there and just started crying. It’s amazing the feeling that it gives when those moments happen."
Those types of moments are occurring with regularity after a second consecutive Pro Bowl season. Beckham broke Randy Moss' record for receiving yards in his first two professional seasons.
It's these accomplishments, his chic style and street cred that have made Beckham such an attraction. His camp was capped at 250 campers on Tuesday. It was filled to capacity despite a standard cost of $349. For that, young fans received the opportunity to learn and play with one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Some even had the chance to go 1-on-1 with the Pro Bowler. They also gleefully received autographs and pictures, and Beckham reveled in the fanfare.
"This is what you do it for. Honestly, this is the reason," Beckham said. "I remember when I was a kid, I looked up to somebody and I wanted to be like [them] or they were my inspiration. So I can come out here and these kids look up to me. So I have to try to be the best role model that I can be, and try to set the best example that I can."
When Beckham was a kid, he said he attended camps all over the South. His childhood heroes were Allen Iverson and Michael Vick. He wore the No. 3 (including at LSU) because of Iverson and his authenticity. He was fascinated by Vick’s unique athletic ability as a youngster spending part of his childhood in Atlanta.
Beckham knows he’s some fans’ modern-day Iverson and Vick, and he tries to act accordingly when in their presence. His message to the campers centered around chasing dreams and never giving up.
"Whatever their goals are, just chase them," Beckham said. "Nobody can tell you what you can and can’t do."
This is the gospel he spread in Germany and England, as well. Beckham saw a young man in Munich who was booting 60-yard field goals "with ease." He told him that could be a lucrative skill in America.
Beckham took the young man’s information and passed it along in NFL circles upon his return.
"If you don’t try, you’re never going to know what it could have been," Beckham said.
He provided the same message to the children at the end of his camp. Then it turned to the business of football, where he's chasing dreams just as big.
Beckham added:
"Most importantly, Go Giants! Super Bowl 51 in Houston. We will be there."
If it happens, he'll surely followed by his ever-growing flock of fans.