VIDEO: Starkville Celebrates Its Hometown Hero

STARKVILLE, Miss.(WCBI)—This weekend resident from all over Starkville turned out to honor a hometown hero.

Friday marked the 13th annual Travis Outlaw day and that means the weekend is full of festivities.

Giving back to the community was the goal for Former NBA star Travis Outlaw.

“I never really got to interact with professional athletes. I want to make sure that, as much as possible, I can give the kids the same. The ability to says “oh I met a professional athlete and I want to be just as good or better”. I’m really just hoping to tell them to keep their imagination up and keep going for it,”said Outlaw.

Saturday was filled with activities like; basketball and video game tournaments, live music, barbecue contests and Outlaw’s Public Relations Representative Sedaria Williams says the event was completely free to the public.

“Pretty much everything comes from Travis. It’s his way of giving back to the community. He wants to make sure they know he’s here this is home,”said Williams.

Williams says the event takes about six months to get together but it wouldn’t be possible without long time volunteers like Mrs. Joni Rogers.

“I come out to just support Travis, for everything that he’s done for the community and I love children. So, I come out to support the children. One event that I help with is flag football. Coming out to see the kids play flag football and how they just love each other and play good. It’s nice to see everyone coming out and having fun and,” said Rogers.

Williams says Outlaw doesn’t just give to the community on OutLaw day but is an instrumental part throughout the year.

“He’s given back to the Boys and Girls Club, we’ve had Turkey give-a-ways around Thanksgiving. He does a lot and he just wants to thank them from, not just supporting him but, for giving him everything we know of him,”said Williams.

Outlaw has played for; The Portland trail blazers, Sacramento Kings, and The New York Knicks but he says there’s nowhere he would rather be than where he roots are.

“It feels great to be home. I love being around family. I think I’m so blessed to be rich in family. I have my aunties, my cousins. Always someone I can depend on and talk to. So, I love being home,” Outlaw.

August 25th is the official Travis Outlaw day. Outlaw is currently a Starkville resident.