Philadelphia Eagle’s All Pro CB Roynell Young had played 9 years in the league and had a tremendous career. Sometimes players after they retire have a hard time figuring out the next stage of their life. Young found his path and inspiration after he saw a couple of teens on the street that needed some direction.
Before the NFL, young has had some experience with hanging in the street and it took a couple of people to believe in him. Young believes it was an act of faith from a line of people who went out of their way to rescue him from himself.
It was a particular person that really had influence Young. It was a community leader named “Smooth.” Young had gotten caught with some illegal fireworks and Smooth was the only one at the time that saw change. Smooth gave me a hard look after we were caught and said. “I’ll be responsible for these boys,” he told the cops. “I guarantee they won’t get into anymore trouble.” I climbed out of the patrol car, still feeling the episode had been good for my rep.” After that episode Young still wanted to ” be the man”, he had partied frequently and started hanging with the wrong types of people.
Young was about to quit the football team because one of his buddies had gotten kicked off, but his buddy had said, ” “Don’t do it, man,” he warned, putting his arm over my shoulder. “You have something special, something no one else on this team has. Don’t waste it.” Later on in life his friend had asked him this simple question. “Have you thought about what your purpose might be?” Young was shocked before he even answered the question. That was the question that had saved Young’s life. Change and maturity had lighten up Young and made him the player and person that the world knows as a role model.
Following one of his daily trips passing through the city, Young had saw other teens that were hanging out in the streets looking for trouble; he asked them to come over, but they thought he was the police and scattered. He happened to see them again at one of the courts, asked them to play basketball with them, and if they won they would buy them something to eat.
Young and his friend had beat the kids and took them out as he planned. Young and his friend started asking the teens different questions to get them to break the ice. One of the questions that came up was have you thought about your purpose in life. The kid was confused at first, but than asked Young if he was going to the next week. Over a few weeks after the talk, many teens wanted to hear some positive words, while playing the sport that they love.
A few years ago we raised enough money to open our own charter middle school for boys. And just a few months ago we moved from our one-story brick building to a 16-acre campus.”Not a day passes that I don’t think about Kemp and all the people the Lord used to put me straight. I’ve found my purpose. We’re changing lives and wanted change in their lives says Young.”
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