Kendrick Taylor was a hero before he chased down and stopped a thief from stealing a woman's purse. The 24-year-old is a Navy veteran from Orlando who served our country overseas, then recently served again at home by rescuing a fellow citizen in need.On October 29th, Kendrick was going to his local gym when he heard a woman screaming from across the parking lot, and noticed a young man robbing an older woman. Without a second thought, Kendrick chased the man down and apprehended him until the police arrived.Ellen brought Kendrick on the show this week, and after learning more about his heroic act, she surprised him with a visit from his mother, Marion, whom he hadn't seen in months."When [Ellen] started to talk about her, like, 'How much do you miss your mom?' I watch the show all the time and I was like, 'No you didn't,'" Kendrick told Ellen's Good News about his appearance. "My whole insides, I just blew up. I was ecstatic… my mom has influenced me in every way possible. She taught me a lot about compassion and loving. I saw how she acted with other people and it kind of stuck with me."Ellen also rewarded the family with several thousand dollars worth of gift cards to celebrate the upcoming holiday season, plus a $10,000 check from Shutterfly."It means I don't have to struggle," Kendrick acknowledges. "I can focus on school, focus on my studies, focus on my career after I graduate."Watch our full backstage interview with Kendrick and Marion!You can also see his appearance on the show here!
↧