PINETOWN — Only the sidelines were painted at Bing Mitchell Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, but for C.J. Wilson, it didn’t matter. The memories of donning the signature black, white and silver Northside uniform and playing for coach Mitchell came rushing back. For Wilson, it was hallowed ground, where it all began for the Super Bowl champion and current Oakland Raiders defensive end.

It was his first visit to Northside High School in more than five years. As he walked from end zone to end zone, alongside his father Amos, Principal Charles Clark and Keith Boyd, the existing head coach and former assistant to Mitchell, Wilson spoke little of his successes in the NFL. Rather, the picturesque summer afternoon offered a certain tranquility for reflection.

“One of the fondest memories I had of (Mitchell) was when we were warming up over there before we played Pamlico County,” he said pointing to the right of the practice field parallel to the stadium. “He gave me a pep talk about the game, told me to handle my business. I remember that like it was yesterday. It’s a great feeling.”

Mitchell introduced Wilson to a better work ethic and a desire to succeed. It’s guidance the 6-foot-3, 320-pound lineman has never forgotten, advice that led to a sterling career at East Carolina and later the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers his rookie season in 2010.

“I give all the glory to God for giving me this opportunity,” Wilson said. “All those years my mom and dad brought me out here to the pee-wee league, then through high school. It’s all paid off for the better, so now I don’t only want to be a blessing for myself and my family, but for others who helped me a long the way. I want to do what I can to give back to me roots and my community.”

Wilson announced on Tuesday he will be contributing $5,000 to the Northside football program, a donation that will be matched by the NFL. While the 28-year-old veteran has given back to his hometown of Belhaven in years past, the gesture is his first, but certainly not his last, towards his former high school.

“It leaves you kind of speechless,” Boyd said. “It just seems like yesterday we were coaching him and now look at what he’s doing.

“It’s eerie. At the time when they’re going through high school like that, you knew he was a pretty good athlete and you figured he’d go on to college. To imagine someone from our little area going to the NFL and doing as well as he’s done is just — hats off to him, he’s worked his butt off.”

And his hard work finally paid off this year. Wilson received a two-year, $4.35 million contract for his services this season and in 2016. It’s money that has allowed him to take care of his family, his foundation and now the community that natured him into the talent he is today.

“Now was the time to do something and I want to give back every year,” Wilson said. “And it’s not all about money, but I want to give some of my time — come out here, talk to the guys with coach Boyd. It’s a great feeling, a great honor to have played here.”

In the coming weeks, Boyd will sit down with Principal Clark and determine the football program’s needs. The $10,000, Boyd said, will likely go towards equipment, field maintenance and spirit packs for players who can’t afford them.

Northside opens the 2015 high school football season on Aug. 21 at home against Creswell.