BROADALBIN, N.Y. -- A one-time basketball star spoke to students at Broadalbin-Perth High School Thursday, not to share his story, but to help them re-define their own.
"I think it comes to a point where peer pressure is acceptable and it's not," said Dylan Sweet, a Broadalbin-Perth student.
Usually a motivational speaker says if they got through to just one student, it was worth it. But Thursday at Broadalbin-Perth High School, it was clear Chris Herren got through to many more than just one.
"I think it's testing them emotionally. I think it's challenging them socially. It's making them look at the reason. What's behind me escaping?" Herren said.
Chris' story is a remarkable one. A high school and college basketball star, second round NBA draft pick, all while fighting addiction. He ended up losing it all, being convicted of seven felonies, and almost losing his family. But the presentation Chris gives is not about him or his story.
"I think we need to focus on the first day rather than the worst day," Herren said.
Chris's presentation is unlike any other. There is no jokes, there is no silly anecdotes. Instead he makes it seem like he is talking to each student individually, and you can tell it resonates.
"It could happen to anyone to be totally honest. When you are under that much pressure constantly all the time, I can see why certain things like that happen," said Sweet.
Chris uses an ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary about himself to tell his story, and when talking to the students, he asks them to look at themselves.
"What is it about you on Friday nights that you can no longer be you?" Herren said.
Chris says it's not about perfection, but about recognizing that one decision can lead to another. And no matter how far down the path you are, you can always come back, if you don't believe that, just look at him.