NFL players Dylan Laube and Matt Goncalves host youth football camp at Westhampton High School

Dylan Laube and Matt Goncalves ended their first youth football camp by signing autographs, taking selfies and giving words of encouragement to kids for over 30 minutes.

Nearly 200 youth football players participated in the event at Westhampton Beach High School on Tuesday morning, taking part in skill, agility and speed drills. Once the field was cleared and Laube and Goncalves — both of whom play in the NFL — finished signing autographs, they completed what they hope becomes an annual way to give back to their community.

“That's the whole purpose of playing and kind of living this life,” said Laube, heading into his third season as a running back and kickoff returner for the Las Vegas Raiders. “It could be about the money, the glory and all that stuff, but at the end of the day, if you don’t come back and help where it all started, then what's the point?”

Laube, a Westhampton native who attended Westhampton Beach, noted it was cool to be back on his former field. He said it was great to give back because the community has always supported him. Before being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Raiders, Laube played at the University of New Hampshire.

Goncalves, a third-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2024,  is from Manorville and attended Eastport-South Manor High School. While he wasn’t on his former high school field, he noted how important it is to give back to kids locally on Long Island.

“I know if I was a kid and I had NFL players come to my local high school, I'd be stoked,” Goncalves said. “So, I'm sure a lot of these kids are stoked, and I want to be an example for these kids to look up to one day and just do what they want with their life and their dreams.”

Laube and Goncalves had known of each other growing up, but didn’t become close until Joe DiBenedetto, who represents both players, got them together days before the 2024 NFL Draft. They’ve grown close since and, over the last year, discussed running an annual youth football camp.

With their first camp complete and the calendar flipping to July, Laube and Goncalves are gearing up for training camp.

Goncalves, who went to the University of Pittsburgh, was the Colts’ starting right guard last season after transitioning from playing tackle. He said the position change was a big transition, but he’s getting more comfortable. The 6-6, 317-pound offensive lineman added that he’s anticipating starting at right guard again this year.

Meanwhile, the 5-9, 204-pound Laube was primarily used as a kick returner and occasionally received running back snaps. With a new coaching staff in Las Vegas, Laube highlighted that this is a big year for him, and he’s excited because the Raiders have numerous young offensive players, including quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick. 

As Goncalves and Laube take the field on the biggest stage, they hope to inspire everyone watching back home.

“Playing football [on Long Island] is very overlooked,” Goncalves said. “I want to give back to these kids, give them a little glimpse of hope, use me and Dylan as an example to make it to the next level, because anything's possible.”