ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- It’s been awhile since he’s played high school football, but for Louis Murphy Jr., looking out on the field takes him back in time.
- Football star follows mom's spirit through charity
- Mom worked w/ underprivileged kids, inspires '1st Downs 4 Life'
- Info on football, cheerleading class: 1stdowns4life.org/events
"That's why I love coming back home,” Murphy said. “It's humbling and it puts things in perspective."
Murphy said his mother Filomena Murphy is never far from his mind.
"She was a teacher at a juvenile detention center,” Murphy said. “She taught kids that went to jail for 21 days. She taught them math and reading."
The elder Murphy was also her son’s biggest supporter, even during a four year battle with breast cancer that eventually took her life in 2008, just as Murphy was entering his senior year at the University of Florida.
"I know how hard it is as a kid, as a teenager, 17 years old, going with your mother to chemo,” Murphy recalled. "You know, seeing her struggle, seeing what she went through and to see how hard she fought, just made me fight that much harder."
A year later, Murphy was drafted into the NFL and immediately started giving back to his St. Petersburg community through his charity ‘1st Downs 4 Life.’
"When she passed in 2008, I kind of took on her spirit working with underprivileged youth, troubled youth,” he said.
Murphy’s charity also helps kids affected by cancer, offering them all support and guidance through sports and empowerment events.
He believes his mother would be proud if she were here today.
"She would probably give me a big hug and kiss, and say ‘son, keep going.’” Murphy said.
1st Downs 4 Life has a big weekend coming up July 13 through July 14.
Registration for football and cheerleading camp is still open to the public. For more information, you can visit the charity’s website: 1stdowns4life.org/events
