About us

PURPOSE

The aim of You Gotta Believe Football Camp and You Gotta Believe Baseball Camp is to equip young athletes not only with a deeper understanding of the respective sports but also with vital life skills for success. Participants will grasp the significance of unwavering belief and perseverance, learning fundamental techniques, sportsmanship, and receiving faith-based guidance. These elements will set them apart from competitors. It’s about fostering a culture to believe in God, self and team! You Gotta Believe!

HISTORY

YGB Football Camp was established in the summer of 2007. It was created by John Ratliff, Robert Ratliff, and Alec Mullarkey. At the time they were high school football players at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, TX. They had a true determination to give back to the Fort Worth youth community so in remembrance of the Ratliff brother’s dad, Bobby Ratliff, they created “You Gotta Believe (YGB) Football Camp”. Bobby was a man that gave every kid a true chance to succeed and truly loved coaching. He made sure everyone was having fun while playing their respected sport, and that is one quality that YGB Football and Baseball Camp ensures. The camp has primarily been held in Fort Worth, TX, but in 2015 YGB Football Camp held their first Mississippi camp in Jackson, MS at Jackson Academy. The Ratliff brothers walked-on the Ole Miss Football team and fell in love with the state. They believed it was time to give back to the youth in the state of Mississippi, and will continue to for a long time. In 2023, You Gotta Believe hosted its first camp in Fort Worth since 2015 having an incredible turnout and support. You Gotta Believe also hosts baseball camp in Fort Worth at the little league park where it all began for Robert and John with their dad. We cannot wait to see you all this summer!

Executive Staff

JOHN RATLIFF – CO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Leadership and commitment have enabled John Ratliff to succeed in reaching his goals in his community, classroom and on the football field. John also uses his energy to expand his vision for You Gotta Believe Camps. Ratliff brings his same love and passion for the game of football to give back to the community that helped him mature into the man he is today.

When John lost his father at the age of 10, his hero left him with the words, “You Gotta Believe”. These three words have shaped his attitude to strive for greatness in all aspects of life, especially football and school. After playing wide receiver at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas, Ratliff was not willing for his football career to end. His recruiting process was next to nothing until he received a preferred walk-on spot at the University of Mississippi to join his older brother, Robert.

At Ole Miss, Ratliff’s playing time was limited only seeing action in 6 games over his four year career. In his tenure as an Ole Miss Rebel, he hauled in 1 catch for 5 yards and recovered 1 fumble. With nominal contributions on the field, Ratliff contributed to the football program with his community service and encouragement to teammates to achieve in the classroom. He also took pride in holding the wide receivers to a higher standard in the weight room and on the practice field.

John’s hard work paid off on the field and in the classroom. He graduated with honors a semester early from The University of Mississippi in December 2014 and was accepted to dental school. In August 2015, Ratliff began his dental school journey at Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, TX. In May 2019, Ratliff completed dental school. In June 2023, he completed his residency training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at LSU Health Science Center in Shreveport, LA. He moved with his amazing wife Haley and their 2 children to Charleston, SC to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Although Ratliff’s career will be in dentistry, he has expressed that he is not ready to be finished with the great game of football which is why he always wants to have You Gotta Believe Football Camp.

ROBERT RATLIFF – CO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The “always believing” mentality is the way Robert tries to live his life every day. A positive attitude along with never giving up is the reason why Robert is where he is today. You Gotta Believe Football Camp is a main focus for Robert; he truly loves serving and mentoring the youth.

Robert loss his father at the age of 13, and while that experience was horrible his father did leave him with the everlasting three words which are “You Gotta Believe”. These three words have shaped the way Robert lives his life every day. His father was and still is a role model to him and his brother, John. John and Robert realized at an early age that they did not want their father’s legacy to end in 2003, and that is why the You Gotta Believe Foundation is here today. The impact those three words have on John and Robert are immeasurable, but they also wanted to make sure other young men have the opportunity to hear those words.

In 2010, after transferring from the University of the South, Robert walked on the Ole Miss football team. Although Robert saw little action on the field he did earn an athletic scholarship for his junior and senior years.  Robert took pride in holding the offensive players to a higher standard in the weight room, in the meeting rooms and on the practice field. As soon as Robert’s collegiate career was over he began coaching football at Ole Miss.

Although coaching at Ole Miss was very exciting and a dream come true, after three seasons, Robert decided to move back home to Fort Worth, TX. Football will always be a major part of Robert’s life, and that is why You Gotta Believe and the future of the camps are so important to him.

Robert, Natalie and their two boys, Wyatt and Henry, reside in Fort Worth, TX. When not coaching and being a dad Robert works with CAC Group as an insurance professional! .

staff@ygbfoundation.org