Terrell Owens reached back to his modest rural Alabama roots Tuesday as he kicked off a major fundraising campaign for the Food Bank of Western New York.

When he spoke about why he got involved, there was none of the swagger from the celebrity- superstar familiarly known as "T.O.," no quips to "Getchya popcorn ready."

Instead, the native of Alexander City, Ala., recalled how his mother worked double shifts each day at a textile maker to support the family.