LaTroy Lewis starts non-profit organization for Knoxville children

[kamoshika]

Lewis founded Project Elevate — a non-profit organization designed to “mentor, culture, cultivate and educate children while building interpersonal relationships between urban youth and impactful community leaders.”

The 6-foot-4, 260-pound gentle giant goes to Lonsdale Elementary every Wednesday, spending 45 minutes talking to a group of 10 fourth-grades before side sessions with some of the students and then trips to various classrooms in the building to speak to — and listen to — more kids.

...“I beat myself up for it now, because I realize what kind of influence we really have, and I’m always like, ‘Man, LaTroy, why didn’t you realize this earlier?’ But at the same time, I realized it wasn’t too late, and that I could do something impactful to make a difference and also show my teammates that it doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, fifth-year senior, we’re in a position that people look up to us.

“We have a locker room full of great people, a great culture, and this is just another opportunity for us to impact the community.”
Tennessee Vols football's LaTroy Lewis starts non-profit organization for local children

 

[CoaxialOrange]

Special guy. Need more like him. True VFL

 

[McDad]

Sounds like a class act with a good head on his shoulders.

Side note: I cannot read his name without hearing the old La'Choy commercial jingle.

 

[YorkVol]

Awesome!

 

[Lefteye]

Before the season, players raived about him for his football ready physique. But things like this are way more impressive.

 

[fade route]

Life is more important than football and LeTroy gets that. Good for him.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

A bit of an unsung hero. We have gotten some quality snaps and sacks from him the past few seasons.

Well played LaTroy!

 

[joevol33]

Saw this on Facebook. Hats off to him!

 

[zjcvols]

This is awesome. It takes guts to go out and do something like this while being a full time student and SEC football player. Absolutely awesome. I hope CBS mentions this Saturday

 

[Vol737]

A bit of an unsung hero. We have gotten some quality snaps and sacks from him the past few seasons.

Well played LaTroy!

We sure have. LaTroy has been one of my favorites on this team. Solid individual all around.

 

[kamoshika]

Lewis credits two people for his success: his mother and 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist and Akron native, Butch Reynolds. Reynolds, who also graduated from Archbishop Hoban, formed a bond with Lewis through the Butch Reynolds Care for Kids Foundation, which is centered on mentoring children. Reynolds also helped Lewis refine his athletic abilities and navigate the football recruiting process.

Lewis knows from first-hand experience the value of someone who is willing to invest in others.
LaTroy Lewis: A Hero For Others On Hero Day - University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzwdVMz69Kc[/youtube]

 

[Manvol]

True Volunteer

 

[OneVolNation]

What a difference an older role model and mentor can make. Way to contribute!

 

[vollygirl]

Kudos young man.

 

[vol-un-tear]

Good stuff! Glad he's a Vol!

 

[tonybologna]

This is awesome. It takes guts to go out and do something like this while being a full time student and SEC football player. Absolutely awesome. I hope CBS mentions this Saturday

I don't think they mentioned him but hopefully either very soon or after the season CBSSN might pick it up because this young man deserves some recognition for this cause.