Former OSU and NFL football player Antonio Smith leads students in the O-H-I-O rally cry during a school visit by his outreach organization, the Driven Foundation. Smith and other former Buckeyes will represent the foundation in Thursday’s charity basketball game against local alumni all-stars.(Photo: Courtesy of Driven Foundation) LEXINGTON – He plays in basketball games like the “Instant Classic” here Thursday night to help deliver his message of hope and perseverance, but Roy Hall never strays far from his roots. A former all-state, Ohio State and NFL receiver, it makes sense that this dynamic motivational speaker would use football analogies to describe the work of his community outreach organization, the Driven Foundation. Founded by Hall and fellow Buckeye Antonio Smith in 2008 — Hall’s rookie year with the Indianapolis Colts — Driven fosters a never-say-die mentality through food distributions, mentorships and specialized events for at-risk youth and families in need. “We do things that I don’t want to say are unorthodox, but unconventional in our approach,” Hall said. “We’re versatile and flexible. We try to bring together churches with schools and schools with businesses and organizations. “It’s like being at an Ohio State football game. It’s the only place where you’re going to see so many people from different walks of life and different backgrounds having a good time. We’re trying to do the same thing with our events.” Hall and Smith, who also played in the NFL, are part of a basketball team that plays all over the state under the Driven Foundation banner. The ex-Buckeyes will kick off a special charity doubleheader Thursday night at Lexington High School when they play a team of News Journal All-Star Classic alumni at 6 p.m. in a showdown dubbed the “Instant Classic.” Primary sponsor of the event is the Ohio State Alumni Club of Richland County…
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