Former Joseph’s Home for Boys resident and current Baltimore Raven NFL player DeAngelo Tyson returned to his hometown this week to tackle an issue very close to his heart.
    Less than a year ago, Tyson officially announced the formation of The Tyson Foundation with a mission “to serve youth, young athletes and teenage mothers through support and opportunities that will empower them to unlock their own personal potential.”
    In practical terms for the Statesboro community, Tyson’s ultimate goal is to reopen a boys’ home in Statesboro and fundraising for that effort took place this week with a dinner and auction Thursday evening and a golf tournament on Friday.
    Nineteen teams consisting of locals participating individually or representing community businesses came to Forest Heights Country Club Golf Course and were joined and supported by DeAngelo Tyson and fellow football friends, including former teammates from the University of Georgia and current teammates from the Baltimore Ravens.
    Contestants and supporters took turns putting, swinging and posing for pictures with Tyson. Some even tried on his 2013 Super Bowl ring. It didn’t fit.
    But the Tyson Foundation had a winning game this week with its fundraising. Board members for the Foundation hoped to raise approximately $50,000 for the future boys’ home. Though totals have not been received as of yet, the board is pleased that their initial goal is already exceeded.
    DeAngelo Tyson’s path to success didn’t come easy. Abandoned by his birth parents, Tyson spent most of his childhood at Joseph’s Home for Boys, though he bounced around among family members at various times.
    Tyson visited seven schools in Bulloch County this week and told students, “I felt safe, but I didn’t feel normal. I had to learn to have confidence in myself and that I could do my best in whatever I wanted to do. My dream was to be a football player.
    “You gotta have confidence in yourself that you can reach that goal.”
    And Tyson did reach that goal.
    Though his original sports-love was basketball, Tyson played football for Statesboro High School and eventually became the first teen from the home to move into the college setting. His excellence in football netted him a scholarship to the University of Georgia.
    Then, selected in the seventh round of the 2012 draft by the Baltimore Ravens, he would earn the privilege of wearing a Super Bowl ring in just one year.
    Tyson, along with his wife, Shabrae have a passion for giving back to the community that helped him reach his goals. In addition to the fundraising events, Tyson spent the early part of the week speaking to various schools in the community.
    Tyson touched on three points in his motivational speeches. He elaborated on having a healthy self-esteem and confidence and spoke on the value of reading and doing one’s best at everything.
    “Reading helps you expand your imagination and helps you learn.
    “No matter what you do, you have to do your best. Before I got the opportunity to play football, I became a father. I had to do my best to be the best father I could be.”
    Doing his best, that’s what DeAngelo Tyson does on and off the field, at home with his own family or in schools with other children; with fellow football players or young men whose lives need a helping hand like his did or in Statesboro to thank the very community that led him to become the Super Bowl ring-wearing gentleman that he is.