Camden's special spectator

Camden's players took a knee at midfield shortly after a 27-14 victory over rival Camden Catholic on Oct. 10 at Farnham Park.

But this was no ordinary postgame huddle.

"I gotta tell you, you had me nervous there," Gov. Christie told the players after Camden rallied from a 14-7 deficit late in the third quarter.

Christie had visited a Camden practice a few weeks earlier and vowed to attend one of the Panthers' games.

He arrived at halftime and watched the second half along the sideline with dignitaries such as Camden Mayor Dana Reed, Camden Police Chief Scott Thomson, state assemblyman Whip Wilson, and Rutgers coach Kyle Flood, among others.

Christie addressed the Camden team after the Panthers improved their record to 5-0 before a crowd that filled the bleachers on both sides of the refurbished complex on Park Boulevard.

"It means a lot to us," Camden junior Brad Hawkins said that night. "It shows he cares about us, cares about our city."