September 23, 2008
Packers Receiver On A Mission To Help Homeless
MILWAUKEE -- Long before the fancy cars and publicity shots, Green Bay Packers receiver James Jones struggled. "I was born and raised in the homeless shelter with my mother," he said, to a group of homeless people gathered at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission Tuesday.
The professional football player opened up about his past to inspire others to rise above poverty. He is supporting a fundraising drive as the shelter celebrates its 115th anniversary.
As a child in California, Jones lived in five different shelters. He says his success is because of his interest in school, football and listening to his mother's encouraging words.
"If you talk with 20 and change two lives, man, that's a positive and that's what I try to. However many lives I can change, I try to change--whether it's one or 101," he said.
Jones and his wife plan to help other Wisconsin shelters and in his hometown of San Jose, Calif.
