Former Raven Torrey Smith Still Giving Back To Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Former Ravens player Torrey Smith may play for a different city, but his heart is still here in Baltimore.
His foundation continuing to enhance literacy for students, as WJZ's Tracey Leong explains.
This is the fourth Reading Oasis the Torrey Smith Foundation has dedicated to schools right here in Baltimore.
Cheers ring out for Smith's Reading Oasis with wife Chanel and baby TJ by his side.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith not forgetting his roots.
"Baltimore is like home for me now. We still live here," Smith said. "When I'm done playing ball, I'm still going to live here. My efforts in the community will not change."
The former Ravens player reading his favorite book "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows" to these eager students at Moravia Park Elementary School in their new classroom.
.@TorreySmithWR reading his favorite book "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" with son TJ. @cbsbaltimore @49ers #WJZ pic.twitter.com/UESbeQsQUu
— Tracey Leong (@TraceyWJZ) July 23, 2015
"Having someone like Torrey Smith really showing love of learning and really making sure the athlete may not your one and only step," Principal Tadem Daniels said. "You can go on and I guess he said he wanted to be a business man so you don't have to stop at being an athlete you can do a lot of things."
One thing that's close to Smith's heart is giving back to Baltimore youth.
"A lot of kids in the city don't honestly have enough resources," Smith said, "and this a school [where] they care so much about their students and it's a blessing to be able to help them out."
Taking time to answer questions and reminding students to work hard in school. A message that's getting through.
"Work hard, go to college and get my masters," said 9-year-old Kenneth.
"[I want to] be a doctor when I grow up, so I should go to college and get good grades, so I can do it," said 9-year-old Myona.
Nearly 350 students will have access to about 1,200 book here in the Reading Oasis.
The first Torrey Smith Reading Oasis opened last February at Dickey Hill Elementary and Middle School.
