In this article: Why leave the NFL? His mom and dad Also this week: Alyssa Milano Karenna Gore Back to Celebs

ormer Chicago Bear Christopher Zorich learned what it is to be needy after his father abandoned him and his mother when Zorich was a little boy. That experience had a major impact on Zorich, who left the NFL to get even more involved in service to his community. He's now studying law at Notre Dame and planning a wedding with fiancée Camille Henderson. He spoke with Who's News' Maggie Gallant.

We, at USA WEEKEND, enjoyed working with you on Make A Difference Day in 1996. Even then you were eager to help. What inspired you to do all of what you have done for your community?

Unfortunately, I grew up in an environment that I was on the recieving end. We received government assistance, $250 a month for basically 18 years of my life, receiving clothes from people down the street. I remember as a kid going outside with some of the clothes that the neighbors gave us, and this older kid came up to me and said, "That's my jacket." What could I say? It was. He was like, "Wait a minute, I didn't say my mom could give that away." Here's a young kid, and what that can do to your psyche. You don't think about it at the time, but you're devastated, embarrassed, and everything else. Being on the receiving end of the governmental and social programs that existed then, I knew that folks out there needed help. I was able to use being an athlete to assist other people, to create a foundation and help folks.

I know you were in law school at Notre Dame studying child advocacy and civil rights. Is that still the case?

Absolutely. The biggest reason I am here in law school and why I chose to walk away from having the opportunity to play in the NFL -- I mean, my friends think I am crazy; I walked away from being able to receive a salary of over a million dollars -- is I really sat down and thought about the fact that there's only so much you can do chasing a football. I have nothing against the NFL, please don't get me wrong. I've had some great opportunities. But at this point in my life, I decided that there are bigger and better things that I need to do. I truly believe that my mission on earth is to help people. I felt confined just chasing a football, and by becoming an attorney, I could help make and create laws. I could provide opportunities for people. Another reason is because where I came from, kids either wanted to be professional athletes or drug dealers. They weren't aware of other professions out there, because no one else did them. When they see that I walked away from this thing they wanted to be to go back to school and become someone, they are like, '"Wait a minute, I could do that.' " That's another reason why I think it is so important that I become an attorney, so I can be an example for kids who grew up in environments exactly like mine.

Is there a woman in your life now?

Actually, yes. I could be married this summer. It's interesting because I always thought to myself that there is no way I could ever be [married]. How can I say this without sounding really bad? Because I am so committed to my mission of helping people, and a lot of times in relationships you have to barter for time. For example, when after work someone is going to go tutor [a child] or now because of what you believe in you are not living in the best house or driving the best car; that is something that people have to be serious about. I found that person. I was totally blown away. She is my soulmate. She does a lot of service for people, and she started way before I did, and I was like 'Oh my God, this is like the perfect person in my life!' I was totally surprised.

Are you engaged yet?

Oh yeah. I've been calling around to places for ideas about the honeymoon and stuff like that. So, I've had my responsibilities.

After reading a great deal about the close relationship you had with your mother, I was wondering if the reason you have waited so long to settle down was because no one could quite measure up.

I have thought about that off and on. The amazing thing, and also what I regret is that she is so much like my mom and my mom never got a chance to meet her. That's one of the things I am battling with. Here's this amazing person and I was raised by this amazing mom, and unfortunately, the two of them can't meet. The biggest thing that I regret, unfortunately, is that my mom is not here.

You have talked before about your black father leaving you and your white mother in an all-black neighborhood, poor and the victims of frequent burglaries. You have said in the past that you have no desire to meet your father. Do you still feel the same way, at a point in your life when you are getting married?

I have no idea if my father is alive or what, but you would think with the national exposure that if he were out there, he would have done something about it. He would have approached me or something. Unfortunately, I have heard nothing.

You have made it clear in the press that you don't want to see him.

If I see him, I'd say, "'Thank you for leaving my mom, because it wasn't a great life and it was hard, but I enjoyed it. I was spoiled with love, and that is something that I will never regret."