ROANOKE, Va. – Former Franklin County and Ohio University standout Tarell Basham, now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, returned to the valley to give back.
Basham was a third-round pick of the Colts after a stellar career at defensive end at Ohio.
He was taking time to speak with the kids and sign some autographs at the Hope Center in Roanoke City.
The Rocky Mount native says he grew up in the city before moving to Franklin County, and he says turning the attitudes at a young age is key to future success.
"Seeing how rough the streets can be, and how rough it is out here sometimes. You see it in the coaching of some of the my fellow players I played with in rec football when I was a kid, and see how they're growing up and the things that they've been doing out here, " Basham says. "You know that the youth is the future and the youth is the way to change the culture and the way that people look at everyone in Roanoke City, Virginia. To change the violence and to change the murder rate and things like that is to get to these kids first, so that's why I'm here today," Basham explains.
Basham made the transition from rush end to linebacker for the Colts. He recorded seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in his rookie season with Indianapolis.