Khalen and Kameron Saunders Host First LGBTQ+ Inclusive Youth Football Camp

The Saunders brothers have made headlines for their individual success—one on the football field, the other onstage with Taylor Swift—but now they’re teaming up for a cause close to their hearts. On July 5 in St. Louis, Khalen and Kameron Saunders hosted the first-ever youth football camp created by an active NFL player that intentionally welcomed LGBTQ+ youth.

Khalen and Kameron Saunders Host a Football Camp That’s About More Than Just the Game

Khalen, 28, of the New Orleans Saints, and his brother Kameron Saunders, 32, a dancer from Swift’s “Eras Tour,” came together to host the Original Element Foundation Youth Football Combine—a one-day event that merged football, allyship, and dance. In partnership with GLAAD, the camp was designed to be a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ youth and allies in the traditionally male-dominated world of sports.

“This camp was about teaching the younger generation how to be accepting, loving, and empathetic,” Khalen told NBC’s Joe Fryer. “At the end of the day, loving one another is the most important thing.”

The event featured football drills run by current and former NFL players, an allyship workshop focused on uplifting diverse communities, and a dance clinic led by Kameron. According to The Trevor Project, many LGBTQ+ youth avoid sports due to fear of discrimination—something the brothers are determined to change.

Khalen, who has hosted camps in his hometown before, said this year’s inclusive approach was inspired by his brother. “When my brother came out at 11, I was only 7, but it made me more empathetic from a very early age,” he said. “It made me want to protect him.”

The Saunders Brothers Are Changing Sports Culture

Though their careers are vastly different, Kameron and Khalen share a mission rooted in acceptance and authenticity. Kameron came out at a young age and credits his family—especially Khalen—for always being supportive. “I didn’t have the story that so many queer people have. I’m very grateful,” he shared.

Kameron has cheered on Khalen—who Travis Kelce has called one of his favorite former teammates—from the stands for years and says his brother sets a standard for “love, tolerance, acceptance and joy” in the NFL. “When I go to his games, I feel safe. And that’s not something I take for granted,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khalen returned the favor by proudly watching Kameron shine as a dancer on Swift’s global tour. “He’s worked so hard. Watching him succeed felt like I was watching the NFL draft from his eyes,” he said.

Their relationship, Kameron added, is “full of love and patience”—the same spirit they brought to their July 5 camp. Both believe visibility is key, especially for younger generations.

“When you label something in a way that makes people feel loved, seen, and valued, that can shift an entire generation,” Kameron said. “This camp is a catalyst for how future generations will navigate male-dominated spaces—with more love, care, and understanding.”