An NFL player is giving back to his hometown by building a legacy.

Latavius Murray most recently played for the Buffalo Bills, and he’s been fundraising to create a community center where he grew up. Eventually, he plans to build the Jon Diaz Community Center. It’s work that has deep meaning for Murray as he builds a future for his hometown, empowering people to succeed, while honoring his childhood best friend.

“I'm telling you when I saw it and I drove there I said this is it. You know, this is 100%,” said Murray, reflecting on the site chosen for his proposed project, a community center in Onondaga County.

What You Need To Know

  •  Latavius Murray's hometown is Nedrow, and he is planing to build a community center there.

  •  So far they have raised $4.5 million for the Jon Diaz Community Center.

  • The center will be named after Murray's childhood best friend.

Currently, the field behind Aldi’s in Nedrow doesn’t look like much. But it has a bright future, with Murray’s vision.

“Nedrow is home,” said Murray. “Grew up right here, just a few blocks away.”

Latavius Murray has been an NFL running back for over a decade, and he got his start in Nedrow, a town of about 2,200 people.

“I think a lot of times you can fall into the trap of thinking that you don't deserve certain things because something has been the same for so long,” said Murray.

He wants to change the game by building a community center in the vacant lot behind a grocery store.

“We'll have an easement from Aldi’s parking lot. And there'll be a loop for drop off in the front…some green space on the right next to those trees over there,” Murray said while looking over the empty field.

Rendering of a community center's gymnasium. (Rendering provided by VIP Structures)

The community center is a place that kids like Dashawn Richardson and Bobby Baxter are looking forward to having for things like basketball practice and studying.

“Because right now it's McDonald's but McDonald's is loud and like there's a lot of distractions like the TV, you're right by the road. And when you could just have a quiet place. I know it helps you like get better grades,” said Baxter.

According to youth.gov, after-school programs can benefit social and emotional learning, school participation and academic performance.

“It makes me very excited. It makes me like wanna stay in Nedrow for longer than I have to. And like maybe start a family there so my kids can go there,” said Richardson.

The plan is for the Jon Diaz Community Center to be open to people of all ages.

“It is a desert for a number of things. It's a desert for daycare. It's a desert for afternoon activities,” said Mike Durkin, vice president of client and investor relations with VIP Structures.

Mike Durkin is helping Murray craft his vision for the center.

“Welcoming lobby, which leads to a gymnasium on the far end with a track above that wraps the gym,” said Durkin.

It’ll also include classrooms, a teen lounge and an indoor playground. And the name of the center will pay tribute to someone special.

“Named after my best friend, who I've known since we were six years old, went to kindergarten and you know, just been best friends since the day he passed away,” said Murray. “We love him. I love him, but him no longer being with us has motivated plenty of us, has motivated me to do good and this has just been a way to honor his name.”

While Jon Diaz’s life was cut short in 2016, it will continue at the future Jon Diaz Community Center.

“I'm excited about the work excited about the process. Because I know the reward at the end,” said Murray.

They are hoping to break ground on the project within the next year, but before they can do that, they need to raise some more money. So far, the project has $4.5 million behind it.

But it’s still far from their $14 million goal.

There will be a fundraiser gala for the Jon Diaz Community Center Saturday night. Special guests will include NFL players Justin Simmons, Dalton Kincaid, and Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott.