Football

ISU QB Rocco Becht on giving back with Saturday’s camp in Perry: “It fills my soul”

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (center) and several teammates lead a camp on Saturday, July 13, in Perry, Iowa. Photo by Matt Van Winkle/The We Will Collective

PERRY — The chant rose spontaneously, signaling both appreciation and exhaustion. 

“Rocco, Rocco, Rocco,” the youthful voices echoed.  

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht smiled, then got down to business. 

His football camp for the Central Iowa town’s youngsters had just ended on a sultry and breezy Saturday afternoon — and Becht needed to give back one last time, in the form of a $7,500 check to benefit Perry Youth Football, Inc. 

“That was probably the most nervous I was for this camp, handing that over to them because I know how much this means to them, and I know how much they’ve been through,” said Becht, who decided to use some of his NIL money obtained via the We Will Collective to fund the camp and benefit the town that was rocked by a deadly school shooting in January. “So being able to give that to them and letting them do whatever they need (to do) with it, with the high school, I feel good about it.” 

Nearly 100 Perry fifth-through-eighth-graders participated in the camp, which also featured several other Iowa State stars, including wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, and defensive backs Jeremiah Cooper and Beau Freyler

“Being here and helping the kids and just seeing them smile after what they’ve been through in this community, it’s been really important — and it’s always fun,” said Noel, a second-team All-Big 12 selection last season. “It (also) says a lot about Rocco’s leadership and how his word spreads throughout the team and what guys are willing to do for him. He does so much for us and he’s a team-first guy and for us to do something simple like this for him is the least we could do.” 

Becht announced he’d be conducting the camp in June. The Florida native and reigning Big 12 offensive freshman of the year had been looking for ways to help Iowa communities that faced difficult times and Perry caught his attention. 

“(It) was the perfect place just because of what they’ve gone through this whole year,” Becht said. “It’s devastating and I’m glad I was able to come out here and put on this camp for them. Being able to give that donation to them, it fills my soul.” 

Perry Middle School Principal Ned Menke marveled at the turnout, which filled a practice field next to the high school football stadium. 

“Just like I tell people all the time, it’s a day-by-day process,” said Menke, who is entering his 19th year as an educator — and all that time’s been spent in Perry. “Some days are up. Some days are back down. Events like this help us to be on the rise up. It will be a long process, but just knowing that people care, knowing that the state cares, these Iowa State football players care, really all of Central Iowa cares — that helps going through, like you mentioned, an unspeakable thing that took place here. As we continue to work ahead, we hope to someday be on the other hand, where we can go and help out some others, too.” 

Plenty of Perry High School’s football players helped with the camp, as well, including quarterback and cornerback Geren Kenney. 

“It’s cool,” Kenney said. “A neat experience.” 

Becht said he hopes to find additional ways to use his time and NIL money to support communities in need. Saturday’s experience humbled him, but also inspired him. “I love doing this kind of stuff,” he said. 

Seeing Becht lead the camp caused a wave of nostalgia and pride to sweep over his parents, Anthony and DeeAnn. 

“He’s got extremely high character,” said Anthony Becht, a veteran NFL tight end and current head coach of the United Football League’s St. Louis Battlehawks. “He’s much more mature than I was at this time in my career.” 

DeeAnn Becht said watching her son lead a camp like her husband’s done countless times felt like a full-circle moment. 

“It gives me chills,” she said. 

So when the campers chanted, “Rocco, Rocco, Rocco,” he smiled, but his thoughts remained squarely centered on, “Perry, Perry, Perry.” 

“Put a smile on their face,” Becht said. “That was my ultimate goal.”

@cyclonefanatic