LOS ANGELES — A Carson native, Narbonne High School graduate, and USC alumnus, Uchenna Nwosu is a homegrown talent playing professional football in his own backyard for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Nwosu's journey to the NFL has been a dream come true, but he said he wakes up each morning with a sense of greater responsibility.

"I know that the younger generation is watching me," Nwosu said. "If I can do anything I can to inspire the younger generation to do the same and be a leader in their communities, I'm for it."

Whether the Chargers are giving away bikes, helping with food banks, mentoring young athletes or picking up trash, it's likely that if the team has a community outreach event, Nwosu is there.

"It's great to be able to just clean up the city where I'm from, to be able to just make things a better place for everybody and the environment," he said. "It's just great."

The linebacker continues to work on and off the field in LA. He explained how he knew that once he made it to the league, it was his responsibility to continue to give back.

"My parents taught me from a young age, always be respectful, be kind, give back and it will work in your favor as you get older," Nwosu said. "It's a blessing to be able to be a part of this community, and be a part of a great town, a great organization and just give my good deeds back to them as they gave to me."

Nwosu committed to cleaning up the LA River with the Chargers Bolts Community Crew and figured the more hands, the better. On a recent rainy day, he convinced his childhood friends to pick up trash with him.

Chimezie Ebiriekwe has watched Uchenna's continual efforts to make the world a better place, and that was why he came to help.

"I just seen that he never forgot where he came from, always giving back to the city, to the city of Carson," Ebiriekwe said. "Whether it's in sports or anywhere else, Uchenna has always stepped up and wanted to do that."

This kid from Carson hopes to honor his past and, at the same time, inspire the future.

Over the years, the Chargers Impact Fund has awarded more than $12 million in direct community assistance. The team most recently launched the Bolt Academy, which will offer career and leadership training to local students and an opportunity to work at SoFi Stadium on game days.