JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — 10-year-old Darius spends most of his time playing sports, getting straight As at Warner Elementary School, and hanging out with friends.

However, his life wasn't always this way.

"He went from thinking drugs and abuse and everything was the norm," Darius' adoptive father, Robert Birt, said. "It's not. It's not. This kid right here is going to be somebody."

Birt said Darius' life turned around when they took him in as a foster child in 2018. On Tuesday, they took another big step in adopting him in a Jessamine County courthouse.

"I had a blast," Darius said when thinking back about his adoption. "I couldn't stop smiling. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so much."

When Darius changed his last name to Birt, he also had the opportunity to change his middle name.

He chose "Wilson" after Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Hey, @DangeRussWilson! This adorable 10-year-old boy was just adopted by his foster parents in Nicholasville, KY & decided to change his middle name to "Wilson" because he says you're his hero! I'm sure he'd love a shout out! pic.twitter.com/ARI0EXFFWp — Kristen Edwards (@kedwards_tv) December 20, 2019

"He's a good scrambler and a good quarterback and he's Christian so that's why I picked Wilson," Darius said.

His newly-adoptive parents said they loved the name change because they believe Russell Wilson is a great role model for Darius.

"He's a pillar of his community," Robert Birt said. "He's actually a leader on him team. He's one of the best quarterbacks ever and he's a great person and for him to have that role model. It's very important."

