Posing amid grandchildren to grandparents, Quinton Coples was the center of attention for photos and autographs at his cookout Sunday. The weather was rain-free.
The Quinton Coples Community Cookout was the climax of a three-day weekend of activities.
After its closing, Coples was to head back to Cortland, N.Y., to train with the Jets.
“It’s more relaxing,” he said about spending time with Kinston folks before gearing up for training. “It gives a chance to enjoy your city and enjoy the youth.”
Coples, dressed all in black except for a touch of Carolina blue, wore a set of dog tags and a black hat, which he removed during a prayer before lunch.
Hardly a moment went by where children weren’t hanging by his side and posing for photos. At times, he cradled a toddler in each arm.
Precious Burney, 7, said she would probably put the picture of her and Coples in her room.
“I feel like I’m famous,” she said.
Coples is known as an inspiration to young people to realize that they, too, can aspire to be what they want to be.
Mary Burton of Kinston said she tells her grandson, De’Andre Hargrove, to “be smart and learn everything he can at school.”
Hargrove, 8, wants to be a boxer and Burton is looking for a sponsor for him.
“I want to be like (Coples),” he said. “I want to help little children play like he does.”
Coples was a good student in school, humble and quiet, said his first-grade teacher, Donna Henderson of Kinston.
Now retired, Henderson said Coples’ mother was a strong woman and a good influence for him.
“He was as quiet and nice,” she said, “and this is what I’d expect him to be.”
Coples paid for the free public cookout, which included about 200 pounds of fish, five cases of hotdogs and six cases of hamburgers, Michael Fields, a volunteer, said.
“There’s enough chicken to have five pig cooker grills,” he said, pointing behind him.
Kurtis Stewart, Coples’ business manager and president of Millennium Sports Management based in Raleigh, said the cookout cost more than $10,000. Besides food, there were free T-shirts and a bounce play area for the children.
Piggly Wiggly provided donations and discounts, while Neuse Sport Shop donated door prizes, he said. A party helped bring in some donations, too.
“With Quinton, it’s not about recouping money,” Stewart said. “… The money is not really an issue for him.”
What is a big deal are the more than 100 volunteers that have helped with all the events from Friday to Sunday.
“We really appreciated the hard work and dedication of the Coples’ ‘family’ and what they do,” Stewart said about the many volunteers. “Without them, there’s no way possible to have all this done.”
Mary Croom of Kinston said it was the first time she’s actually met a professional football player.
Timothy Turner of Kinston said Coples is a positive role model and a good leader.
“I like what he’s doing with the community,” he said. “It’s a positive thing for the community. Everybody comes together.”
Denise Wilson of Kinston said she can see that Coples enjoys giving smiles to the children.
“I think it’s a good thing he does for the community,” she said about the events, “because he gives back to the community.”
This weekend of events is what makes Coples happy, Stewart said.
“I feel great,” Coples said. “I feel like the city enjoyed it.”
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
