NFL Linebacker Ray Lewis Helps 10-Year-Old La'Shaun Armstrong After Mother's Suicide Plunge

NEW YORK -- NFL linebacker Ray Lewis and former cornerback Reggie Howard are helping a 10-year-old New York boy whose mother drowned herself and three children by driving a van into the Hudson River.

The surviving child, La'Shaun Armstrong, attended a Manhattan fundraiser Saturday night for the United Athletes Foundation, which is supported by the Baltimore Ravens star. Some of the proceeds will go to create a relief fund to provide him with mentoring, counseling and tutoring.

Lewis reached out to the child as soon as he heard about the April 12 tragedy. The boy escaped through a van window after the car plunged into the water in Newburgh, N.Y., and was rescued by a passing driver. La'Shaun's 25-year-old mother, Lashanda Armstrong, reportedly was distraught over an argument with her boyfriend.

La'Shaun said meeting Lewis earlier this week was "awesome," according to Howard.

The 35-year-old linebacker went bowling with La'Shaun, saying the boy needs mentoring from a father figure. His biological father, Todd Johnson, is in prison on a robbery conviction.

Lewis is vice chairman of the United Athletes Foundation, which was created in 2008 by a group of professional athletes aiming to improve the lives of other athletes and their communities.

The president of the nonprofit is Howard, who took La'Shaun shopping for a new suit earlier this week.

"I hopped into a cab in Manhattan to his house (in Middletown, N.Y.) – and I had no idea it was more than 60 miles away!" Howard said as he prepared to host Saturday's event at Manhattan's Grand Hyatt hotel.

La'Shaun and his grandmother, Datrice Armstrong, who is raising him now, were the foundation's guests for the weekend, sleeping at the Grand Hyatt.

Besides a check presented to La'Shaun on Saturday – for an undisclosed amount – the foundation plans to help him well into the future, Howard said.

Comments

[burndiscoinferno]

12:13 AM on 06/03/2011

Twenty years from now, he will still need love and compassion, so hope Lewis is in there for the long haul and not just in there for the moment. .

[Gloria Winborne Nazemi]

03:11 PM on 05/23/2011

La Shaun is my little cousin and I just wanted to thank Ray Lewis and everyone who is and wants to help him. God Bless you all! Gloria Nazemi

[Mark Cobb]

10:26 AM on 05/03/2011

I certainly hope that another Raven who was raised in the Hudson Valley who's first name is Ray also helps out.

[Andaysha Fisher]

04:36 PM on 05/02/2011

i miss hem so much i wish i can see him agin

[jusathot]

01:33 PM on 05/02/2011

Don't forget the woman who picked him up from the dangerous highway, where he stood, cold and terrified.

[carmenalex]

11:11 AM on 05/02/2011

Geez, this just warms me up. Im glad this child has this support. He's going to need it. Brava!

[ledzepfan]

07:54 AM on 05/02/2011

What a wonderful thing for Ray (and Mr.Howard) to do! Baltimore loves you Ray-Ray. But you already knew that..

[Rosalee Harris]

07:52 AM on 05/02/2011

This is a great story. I'm glad to see folks reaching out to this child. It restores your faith in humanity.

[Smirk]

05:13 AM on 05/02/2011

Kudos to Lewis and Howard for their kindness.

[Vanderbil Covington]

03:35 AM on 05/02/2011

Although I am not a sports fan, I am VERY impressed with Mr Lewis's wanting to be a father figure to that brave little boy who lost so much. I just hope he will still be there for this child when the painful reality hits him. God only knows what scares will need to heal as life goes on. Unlike so many children who've witnessed the horrble death of parents have to face such pain alone, prehaps this precious child will find hope and strength in Mr Lewis

[AllyCat7]

03:34 AM on 05/02/2011

This is wonderful. Ray Lewis is an angel!

[jck8033]

04:39 AM on 05/02/2011

First part Agree. Second part Disagree.

http://www.sptimes.com/News/012301/SuperBowl2001/_There_is_no_justice_.shtml

[bustitbaby]

07:41 PM on 05/01/2011

I am glad Ray Lewis is going to be in La'Shawn's life. Too many times Ray gets in the papers when he does something wrong, so it is great he is getting good press for a change.

[Richcrafter]

07:35 PM on 05/01/2011

Ya just wanna love him!

[thepoliticalcat]

04:05 PM on 05/01/2011

I am so touched that these wonderful men stepped forth to take the place of his parents. This poor child has already been through more than any child should have to bear. Kudos, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Howard, for your great kindness to him. Help him do the right thing, to learn and to achieve, and perhaps some day he, too, could be the President of these United States.

[Richcrafter]

01:26 PM on 05/01/2011

I want to help this boy. I don't know how to find him. I might as well leave my estate to this fellow. Why not?

[thepoliticalcat]

04:06 PM on 05/01/2011

Mr. Lewis is the Chair of the United Athletes' Foundation. If you're serious about helping the child, I'm sure contacting Mr. Lewis would be the best place to begin.

[Richcrafter]

12:14 AM on 05/02/2011

I telephoned today. The number did not work. I'm on it tomorrow!

[Trilby]

07:32 PM on 05/01/2011

Put him in your will. He will be found by the executor when the time comes.

[Richcrafter]

12:13 AM on 05/02/2011

Thank you! I'm going to. I'm so touched by this boy. Proud of him. And I've learned it's easy! A feel good moment. Yes!