TYLER — Former Dallas cowboy Greg Ellis is in Tyler performing his play, “Watch Night.” While he is in town, he went out of his way to speak to a group of children with the Boys and Girls Club at Ramey Elementary.
“People call me up and say, 'Greg can you come speak to the kids?' And I jump at every opportunity to do that, and I enjoy pouring back," Ellis said. "Hopefully I say something that can encourage them and puts them on the right path.”
Every place Ellis goes, he makes sure to connect with children in the community and influence them in a positive direction. He says even the smallest outreach can make a difference.
"Sometimes I don’t know if those organizations understand how much they are helping. They may feel like 'We only spend a few weeks with the kids, what difference is that really making,'" Ellis explained. "But you learn some of the things when you’re in those kind of programs that can propel you through life and can help you make better decisions in life, and can help you be successful."
He told the kids,“Whatever it is you want to become, you have to work hard.”
Ellis says he learned the importance of community outreach when he was involved with different programs growing up.
“I grew up kind of like a lot of people. Underprivileged, didn't have a lot of money and things like that," Ellis remembered. "So a lot of organizations came through the neighborhood and did stuff with the kids."
You can check out Ellis's play"Watch Night" Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Caldwell Auditorium. You can learn more and purchase your tickets by visiting the play's website.
As for his former team, Ellis believes the Cowboys are finally on the right track toward success.
The ball is finally bouncing their way," he said. "Go Cowboys!"
