CAIRO, Ga. — Former Cairo Syrupmaker and current NFL football player JJ Wilcox wasn’t going to miss Saturday in his hometown for a second. Especially with Mother’s Day just a day away.

In honor of his late mother who meant so much to so many, Wilcox and around 200 others participated in the fifth annual Marshell Wilcox 5K Run and Walk, which began and ended at the Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club in Cairo.

Marshell Wilcox passed away in 2013, and was heavily involved in Cairo’s youth through the Boys and Girls Club. Her last wish was to “take care of the kids when I am gone.” The race has become just one part of that end, with all proceeds going to the Club.

“It’s amazing,” JJ Wilcox said. “The crowd this year was outstanding, the crowds in the past have been outstanding. One thing this year that stuck out to me, it’s the most we’ve ever had. It’s always special to come out and see how important one person was to a community and how much she did for us.”

Bryce Bass was the overall winner of the race with a time of 18:55. Zika Magloire was the overall female winner, finishing in 21:34. Wilcox made sure to participate in the race as well, with some family accompanying him.

“It was fun,” Wilcox said. “I had to push for two today because I had my son with me. It’s always good to get out here and walk for a great cause. We do it for a higher reason than ourselves.”

Wilcox has certainly honored his mother in the way she would have wanted. On Friday, he was at the Club signing autographs for kids and spoke to them about the importance of education.

“I try to instill that because my mom instilled that in me,” Wilcox said. “Before anything else, in college they call them student athletes for a reason. Even when you’re in high school, you can’t play football unless you make good grades. The main thing I wanted to preach was not many people are going to make it to the NFL. A lot of people can’t get a degree, which is controllable.”

Those are not empty words that he just says without action. Recently, Wilcox earned his college degree, graduating from Georgia Southern. He was drafted in 2013 by the Dallas Cowboys before he could complete his education, but made sure to go back and finish.

His accomplishment was made even more special because it was another way JJ paid tribute to his mother. Before she passed away, he promised her that he would complete college. As he heads into NFL free agency, he’ll work with the same vigor that got him to this point.

“I’m one of the first ones in my family to graduate from college and it was a pride and joy to walk across that stage,” Wilcox said. “I stick by my word and I wanted to get it done for her. I know she’s smiling.”