Ohio State football's Gee Scott Jr. gives money, food, clothes, hotel stay to homeless man
Ohio State junior tight end Gee Scott Jr. recently showed the power of giving back.
In a video posted Sunday on his YouTube account, Scott Jr. shared that while he was stopped at a red light near 5th and High Street in Columbus last Wednesday he was approached by a homeless man named Eugene asking for $10.
Scott told him that he didn't carry cash with him, but would come back in an hour with a surprise for him.
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"This is something I've always been interested in doing," Scott told The Dispatch on Wednesday. "I saw a similar video in sixth grade. I always wanted to do something like this. So I decided to do it last week. And he came to my car and asked for money."
Scott went back to the location and found Eugene and played catch with him, saying he would give him $10.
How Gee Scott Jr. helped Eugene, who hadn't slept in a bed for two years
But when the game of catch was done, Scott had a bigger surprise in store for Eugene.
Scott gave him $500 and a hotel room for two nights.
Scott also offered dinner anywhere in Columbus, and Eugene chose Arby's.
After Scott took him to the hotel, Eugene shared he's never stayed in a hotel and hasn't slept in a bed for two years.
"We do things and get used to it and forget the significance (of what we have compared to others)," Scott said. "You appreciate it."
'You are treating me like a big brother'
Scott then offered to take him shopping for clothes the next day.
"You are treating me like a big brother," Eugene said.
The following day started with Scott giving Eugene a haircut.
"I don't think he's been homeless his whole life," Scott said. "I can almost see that sense of joy like when he got his haircut and listened to music and it brought him back to where he was at one point."
Eugene teared up when seeing his haircut and laughed with joy after getting new clothes.
The video ended with Scott buying Eugene lunch at Arby's and praying with him.
Scott said he had a higher purpose for the video.
"I don't think he knows I play football for Ohio State," Scott said. "I didn't tell him. It wasn't about football or Ohio State. It's about genuinely being nice to others."
Gee Scott's story was also featured on CBS News
PAYING IT FORWARD: This Ohio State football player had no money on him to give a man in need, but he promised he would return later for a “surprise” — and ended up giving him a hotel room for the night. pic.twitter.com/FRZphMxXWC
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 17, 2022
Scott said his story with Eugene hasn't ended and that he wants to continue to help him.
"I've gone back to try to find him twice in the past week," Scott said. "This is only the beginning of what I want to do to help Eugene. My plan is to eventually get him employed."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gee Scott Jr. from the Ohio State Buckeyes helps homeless man
