Tré Herndon hosts backpack drive in Ooltewah

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — NFL athlete, Tré Herndon, hosted a backpack drive on Saturday at East Hamilton High School. 

Herndon graduated from East Hamilton in 2014 and now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Along with his team Athlete Relations, he is looking to give back to the Ooltewah/Chattanooga community. 

“I wanted to do the backpack drive because a lot of the kids see the NFL and the sports side of things, but the classroom always comes first,” Herndon said.

His mission was to encourage kids to finish school and to inspire them on their journeys. 

Herndon was available for photos and autographs in addition to words of encouragement for the youth.

“I was in these kids’ same position. You know ten years ago now, it’s kinda crazy but, in the same position walking these same hallways, and to kind of see them look up to me, gives me motivation as well to you know keep going hard, keep pushing, and doing the right things to give them someone to look up to,” Herndon said.

Alongside the drive, there was an event with prize giveaways and lunch by Jersey Mike’s.  

The community came out to support Herndon and participate in activities.

“Just to see the whole community come out and support him and love on him is so important to us. That is was fuels whatever he has going on to get out there on that field. So that community side of it is so important to us. Giving back in any way we can,”  Herndon’s fiancé Treyleanna Robinson said.

The day welcomed many members of the community to support the drive’s mission.

Backpacks were provided to those in need. 

Herndon looks forward to helping the community in future events.