NC State's Shyheim Battle shows a path 'Outta 252' for Rocky Mount youth

By Pat Welter

"I'm just really in camp mode right now," Shyheim Battle said as he stretched out on the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex football field. The NC State cornerback is about to become a coach.

"I call myself coach B," Battle laughed. Battle, some friends and family are checking out the field in advance of Battle's second annual "Outta 252 Football Camp Showdown."

"It's just something I wanted to have growing up," Battle said. "Now that I have the platform and the resources I want to make sure I can provide opportunities for kids."

Battle was born and raised in Rocky Mount, NC. He grew up watching high school games at the old athletic complex field and played rec football on the neighboring fields.

"I scored my first touchdown here," Battle remembered. "This is where I first started watching football and grew a passion for it."

Now a fifth year senior and soon to be four year starter, Battle feels the call to give back to the town that gave so much to him.

"I embraced everything there was about being from here," Battle said. "It's made me who I am today."

Battle made the 2016 3A State Championship game with the Rocky Mount High School Gryphons. As a recruit he chose NC State over offers from schools like Clemson, UNC, Tennessee and Ohio State.

"Coming to NC State it was like playing in my hometown," Battle said. "My family and friends could come and support me at any home game."

Growing up Battle always had the support of his parents who he credits for keeping him on the path to success.

"To see my son come back and help the kids out," Shyheim's father Linwood Battle said. "That's awesome and that's something he always wanted to do."

Shyheim hopes to inspire other kids to follow his footsteps through his camp, because he's witnessed what can happen when you go astray.

"Being from Rocky Mount it's very easy to fall into the streets," Shyheim said. "Once they get passed high school then they see the bigger picture of it's not just about the streets."

Shyheim is living his dream of getting "outta the 252," but he'll never forget where he's from.

"When I say 252 it's really heartfelt to me because I put the city on my back and whenever I go play I'm playing for them and they are playing with me."

Shyheim's camp is scheduled for July 15th at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex football field. The camp is free and will feature several of Shyheim's teammates from NC State as volunteer coaches. The ages 6-12 session will run from 3:00pm-4:30pm and the 13-18 year old session will from from 5:30pm-7:00pm.  Participants will need to register and can do so at the Rocky Mount Parks and Rec website here https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/cityofrockymount/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=Shyheim%20battle&viewMode=list