Because of the hurtful rejection, young Tyrus got “obsessed” with altering the hue of his skin in the hopes of reuniting with his family.
Tyrus and his brother eventually returned to their mother, who put in a lot of labor to support them, sometimes up to 80 hours a week. The family relocated every six months to pursue her career, so stability was a flimsy idea.
The addition of a stepfather made everything worse. Tyrus left home at the age of 15 because he was unable to embrace this new parental figure. He was proud and homeless,
Yet he wouldn’t beg for assistance. He hid in the locker room at his school for a few nights. Sports as a means of salvation Tyrus sought solace in sports, especially football, among the turmoil.
“My life was saved by football.” Without a doubt. If it weren’t for football, I’d be dead or in prison,” he subsequently told the Lexington Clipper-Herald.
