derek edwards was a guy who i met in new orleans many, many years ago. he was in a football accident. he was playing on the field, had a regular day, somebody hit him and he was paralyzed from the neck down. derek edwards was one of those guys whoustoe with his class on time, he went to tulane, and he ended up getting his degree. then he got his master's from tulane. then he got his law degree. now derek edwards is running for senate and he happened to have been at that tulane graduation because he's one of the -- he's on the board there and i was just -- >> you met him years ago, right? >> i met him years ago and it was so interesting to see him and his mom. i have to tell you, that mom, when you think abo how this man ended up where he is, you look at his mom. because they didn't have any money when he got hurt and the doctors said to his mother "you know what? you should probably just put him in an institutional setting because you don't have the capability to care for him." and she said "if god did not take my son, he's coming home with me." and she

derek edwards in the front row is running for the united states senate. launched a u.s. senate bid. >> i can't tell you what it meant seeing you. it meant the world. >> i appreciate everything you've done. >> every time your son accomplished something, does he continue to amaze you or do you expect it from him because he's that guy? >> i am shocked. >> if anyone is going to encourage the kids, it ain't going to be on stage, it's going to be what you've done with your life. how did you keep the spirit alive? >> if you have faith, because of god, all things are possible. believe in yourself. work hard. there's nothing you can't accomplish. s things. he speaks to groups and hospitals around. can you believe this guy? >> wow. >> incredible. >> what an inspiration. >> will they let me vote in texas or louisiana? >> like to. >> hoda, thank you. >>> up next, some grilling tips to get you ready for memorial day, and all the summer cookouts. >>> first, this is "today" on nbc. >>> back now with today food. this week, all about burgers and barbecue because memorial

his name is derek edwards. we'll be doing a story on him later in the week. he is a tulane grad and he was part of my graduation speech because i have never known anyone like this guy. he was there with his mom. >> talk about an inspiration. >> right? >> then you got a big old fat standing o from everybody, hoda. i'm so proud of you. >> they had some really cool, cool people. there was this a cappella group. can we have a tiny snippet? we were backstage before the graduation. ♪ we raise our light to our alma matta ♪ we go so faithfully ♪ fill the merry cup from sea to sea ♪ >> the best part of what you told me is you asked how tough it is to get a job in this world. tell everybody what happened. >> well, yeah, i said who has a job? and a bunch of kids raised their hand, i thought most kids would nlts. >> right. >> but it turned out their parents up there were like we have jobs. of course you have jobs. your kids go to tulane. but i did give them ten lessons. i squeezed ten lessons into a 15-minute speech. here's just a couple of them. >> do not forget the peo

there was a young man in the front row, derek edwards, who had been through a lot and was a tulane graduated seemed like it was for him. it was all about not quitting. those kids were great, by the way. those kids can party, i have to say. they are a party bunch. >> i saw a photo. >> hoda blended right in. >> hoda, thank you very much. >>> just ahead, is here to talk fame, family and "angry birds," after your local news. >>> good morning, it's 8:26 now on this monday, may 16. let's get right over to melissa mollet. a crash on the sb parkway. >> you can see those slowdowns as you're approaching 175. east-west highway there at 16th street, do have a crash there just reported, and 66 at 123 actually looking pretty good eastbound and we ♪ music plays ♪ music plays ♪ music plays >>> good morning. it's sunny and cool outside this morning. temperatures are in the 40s to 50 degrees right now. the good news is we have a bright and sunny day today. temperatures will stay well below average. we'll make it to 60, 65 for a high today. that's 10 d sunny early. you'll probably need a light jacket. but rai

there was a young man in the front row, derek edwards, who had been through a lot and was a tulane graduated seemed like it was for him. it was all about not quitting. those kids were great, by the way. those kids can party, i have to say. they are a party bunch. >> i saw a photo. >> hoda blended right in. >> hoda, thank you very much. >>> just ahead, jason sudeikis is here to talk fame, family and "angry birds," after your local news. >>> and good morning, i'm katy zacharyñ-&x a few minutes befor 8:30. it's championship out there but the sunnbñr is change. flirt meteorologist bill henley is here with what you can expect. >> lots of sunshine. it was down in 30s in new jersey now 50 degrees, 47 in philadelphia. and in delaware, bright sunny skies over frauly stadium. that's the view. 48 degrees. 60 degrees by 2:00 this afternoon. but not going to get a whole lot warmer. the winds have started to pick up and a windy afternoon. 66 degrees for new jersey and the lehigh valley, 67 in philadelphia. >>> first alert traffic reporter going is here now. you're watching an accidents on 295 in new jer

there was a young man in the front row, derek edwards, who had been through a lot and was a tulane graduate said seemed like it was for him. it was all about not quitting. those kids were great, by the way. those kids can party, i have to say. they are a party bunch. >> i saw a photo. >> hoda blended right in. >> hoda, thank you very much. >>> just ahead, jason sudeikis is here to talk fame, family and "angry birds," after your local news. i'm ... ==anim== a developing story... ==topvo== antioch police are investigating an >>> monday, 8:26, i'm sam brock. a developing story we're following right now, antioch police are investigating yet another freeway shooting. this one happened last night on highway 4 right near l street. police say somebody shot a man inside of a car. he suffered nonlife threatening injuries. now, this is just the latest in a string of shootings in contra costa county. a mother of four died when someone shot her in pittsburg. these recent shootings are prompting pittsburgh leaders to call for new highway crime cameras on the freeway. >>> let's talk about your commute rig