The glaring media spotlight that is shone upon the black athlete usually emits negative rays and not positive ones.
Braylon Edwards, a wide receiver for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers who has had his fair share of run-ins with the law, is now in the news for something positive: sendings teenagers to college.
In 22 campuses across the country, there are 79 students who might have not be there without Edwards' help. "I'm supposed to give people a chance like I was given a chance," Edwards told ESPN.
When Edwards entered the league in 2005, he created the Advance 100 program, which gives 100 college-bound teenagers the opportunity to receive $10,000 if they meet certain criteria — including a 2.5 GPA or higher — and 15 hours of community service.
One recipient of the scholarship, David Gholston, who now attends Bowling Green University as a freshman, feels forever indebted to the wide receiver. "Without this scholarship, I probably wouldn't be here," he told ESPN's Rick Reilly.
Edwards' career has been one of unfulfilled potential on the playing field. But in the past few years, we've seen a change of sorts in Edwards and are glad that some of his more positive contributions to society are now being highlighted.
If you would like more information about the Advance 100 program, click here.
Read more at Yahoo Sports.