To wrap up his offseason, Seahawks tackle Charles Cross, made a visit to his hometown, Laurel, Miss. to give back to his to the city and high school that played a vital role in his upbringing.
"Really my coaches, my principle and teachers. All of them did a great job, collectively, helping me be the man I am today," Cross said about his time in high school.
When thinking back on his time at Laurel High School, where he was a standout player that was listed as the No. 1 overall prospect in the state of Mississippi by both 247Sports and Rivals, Cross remembers some of the things he learned outside of the classroom.
"They implemented a lot of things like trying to do things to right way, coming in the correct way, whether that was my uniform to building good habits," Cross said.
And though those may seem like small things, they stuck with him enough to make him want to give back after some success of his own.
"My mom kind of inspired me to do that. Just being able to give back to the community, it's a big deal for me. Just to be able to help the community, help the next generation and give them some help."
On his trip back to his alma mater, Cross was there to surprise his high school with a $10,000 scholarship fund for seniors, during the school's annual convocation before school kicked off. And while he was there surprising them, they had a surprise ready for Cross as well. He was presented with the keys to the city of his hometown Laurel, Miss. by the mayor Johnny Magee.
"It was very exciting to me because I wasn't expecting it. It means a lot to me to be able to have that and I feel like it just shows that the city is behind me 100 percent, and I have their support and are happy for me. I enjoyed that moment a lot."
The scholarship fund is just the start of everything that Cross wants to give back to his school.
"That's where I come from. I will never forget where I come from and it's good to know that they're behind me. It's something I'm trying to do each year. So just trying to build on it year after year. I'm just starting there, but I definitely plan on doing other things in the future also."
Take a look at offensive tackle Charles Cross throughout his college career at Mississippi State. Cross was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1st round, No. 9 overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) blocks against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
AUBURN, AL - November 13, 2021 - Mississippi State Offensive Lineman Charles Cross (#67) during the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL. Photo By Austin Perryman
STARKVILLE, MS - September 11, 2021 - Mississippi State Offensive Lineman Charles Cross (#67) during the game between the NC State Wolfpack and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. Photo By Austin Perryman
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) lines up for the play against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) drops back to protect quarterback Will Rogers (2) as he sets up to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2021. Mississippi State won 31-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) blocks agains Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
STARKVILLE, MS - October 30, 2021 - Mississippi State Offensive Lineman Charles Cross (#67) during the Homecoming game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. Photo By Austin Perryman
NASHVILLE, TN - October 23, 2021 - Mississippi State Offensive Lineman Charles Cross (#67) during the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Austin Perryman
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) blocks against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) blocks Auburn safety Smoke Monday (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) sets his feet to block Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyree Johnson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (67) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
STARKVILLE, MS - October 16, 2021 - Mississippi State Offensive Lineman Charles Cross (#67) during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. Photo By Chamberlain Smith
