Greg Scott is the founder, chief executive officer, motivational speaker and skill development coach for Cover 3 Football.

Doing some of everything fits Scott’s playing days dominating on the gridiron at Southampton High. Scott was all-state and All-American as a linebacker and tight end for the Indians.

And tackling big problems is nothing new considering what Scott went on to do at the college and pro levels. As a 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman, Scott earned all-conference and All-American honors at Hampton University. He played in the 2002 Senior Bowl and Hula Bowl before getting drafted into the NFL. Scott played for Washington and Cincinnati, in NFL Europe and Arena Football, adding up to five pro years.

“Football is a tough game, but because it’s tough, it can teach a lot of lessons,” Scott said. “You have to continue to push forward. You never give up. It’s a lot like life, but if you keep working and keep going forward, you’ll see good things happen.”

Scott’s 2-year-old non-profit organization has football at its center. Scott credits the game and, more so, the coaches and mentors who led him to the accolades he reached, for many of the good things in his life.

“I got to see the world. I’ve been able to take care of my family, all because football’s been great to me. I never thought I’d be able to do that. Because the game’s been so good to me, I could never leave the game out of what I’m doing,” Scott said.

“Our mission is to pretty much touch as many kids as we can, whether that’s to mentor them, coach them, inspire them, feed them, anything we can do,” he said.

Cover 3 Football is based in a small office in Franklin. In the short time since Scott founded it, though, it’s reaching all over the state. Spanning from Portsmouth to Emporia in Southeastern Virginia and with projects in Fredericksburg and Winchester, Cover 3 Football coaches competitive football teams and intense camps at the same time it feeds, mentors and guides kids, football players or not, at 36 centers.

Cover 3 Football teamed up with the Suffolk Family YMCA, donating healthy meals for the YMCA’s after-school program. This summer, the organization is sponsoring the USDA Summer Feeding Service Program for the YMCA’s summer programs. Two meals a day will be provided free to children in the National School Lunch Program.

“I know a lot of kids who maybe their only decent meals each day come while they’re at school,” Scott said. “We’re working to give them healthy, nutritious food and that’s really the great part of our program.”

Working with churches, camps, educational programs and daycares make up many of the other sites Cover 3 teams up with around Virginia, said business manager Steph Wood.

Recently receiving a Share Our Strength grant “will allow us to expand into more rural areas and reach more children,” Wood said.

“Even here, sometimes it’s hard for kids to get to Franklin for our meals,” she said.

“Every child’s situation is a little different at home, but if our staff can bridge the gap a little bit it’s one more way to touch a lot of people and help,” Scott said.

Providing food is just one way Cover 3 Football reaches kids. The most exciting way comes through the sport Scott loves.

Since leaving his playing career, Scott’s been an assistant coach at Hampton and is an assistant at King’s Fork for Joe Jones, who coached against Scott when he was a Southampton Indian.

“Working with him is a pleasure,” Scott said. “I can’t wait to get out there again this year.”

“We try to be a positive outlet for youth in this area because it’s definitely needed right now,” Scott said.

Cover 3 Football runs teams, ranging from a flag football league in Franklin to nationally-competitive tackle football squads in the Fredericksburg area.

“Attitude, work ethic and commitment, that’s what Cover 3 stands for and if you have those things, you’ll be good to go,” Scott said.

“A lot of what we coach is based on respecting and listening to your elders, if that’s coaches or parents or teachers,” Scott said.

Scott’s leading football camps this summer at the Virginia Beach Field House, with one camp from July 11-15 and another from Aug. 1-5.

The organization’s Hunger Relief Benefit Reaching, Teaching, Feeding in Our Own Backyard will be held July 16 at 8 p.m. at Fred’s restaurant in Franklin. After a week coaching hard in Virginia Beach, Scott, of course, will be hosting the fundraiser.