Here's how Detroit Lions star Jerry Jacobs is giving kids a boost

Here's how Detroit Lions star Jerry Jacobs is giving kids a boost

At the age of 11, Jerry Jacobs' world collapsed when he lost his beloved mother Alice to stomach cancer in 2009. With no father nearby and an uncertain future, he faced heartache and frustration and had to decide to either let his situation take him to the dark side or try to make his siblings proud by becoming the person and athlete he felt called to be. Thanks to the love of his brothers and sisters, the Detroit Lions cornerback is not only fulfilling his own potential, but he's also using football as a way to reach other kids who could use a little inspiration.

M&FI sat down with Jacobs and quickly learned that exercise can make a world of difference for those who need a head start.

With thoughtful wisdom, Jacobs says he had “an attitude problem” as a child, but football was the sport that gave him the passion and focus to improve as both an athlete and a person. “Growing up, I had one or two frustrations,” he says. To keep him off the streets, his sister Kim forced him to play soccer at the age of six on their mother's instructions. After her death, this proved to be a way for him to escape reality. "It took a lot of frustration out of me and I took it out on the field more than I would take it out on a person. So it helped a lot," he shares. Although he played lacrosse, track and basketball in high school; “Football took over for me,” says the player. “And it really made me want to stay in the gym.”

Jerry Jacobs stays game ready through his love of the gym

“Man, I love the gym,” Jacobs says. "I keep my body healthy and safe. Since I play in the NFL, I like to train to keep my body sharp in this game. I keep it simple, like bench, curls, you know? Things like that. Squats, the basics. But in the offseason, I try to do everything, like doing more flexibility work and incorporating exercises."

As in all touching underdog stories, Jacobs is able to learn from defeats and mistakes in football and emerge stronger from them. While playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks, he chose not to play in the final four games, instead focusing on getting drafted into the NFL in 2021. However, when this led to him becoming a free agent, he was humbled. Jacobs is mature in his assessment of the decisions he made with the Razorbacks. “I couldn’t do any coaching back then,” he admits. "I just thought I was someone I wasn't when I came to school, you know? When I got there, I was fighting for the starting position and I ended up winning, and I think it occurred to me that I thought I was just the man."

Jacobs says that in some ways he's glad he fell a point or two behind by going undrafted because it only made him realize even more that he needs to work on his attitude and his performance on the field. “I learn from my mistakes and look back on them and it shows that I am a better person and a better man now,” he says. With his dreams looking out of reach, Jacob explains that he's been "having a good time" and focusing on what he needs to do to get to the NFL. Nowadays, at 25, Jacobs says he trains every day as if he had just gone unnoticed again. Luckily, his desire to train hard and work on his mindset led to an opportunity to train with the Detroit Lions. He has been there since 2021.

Jerry Jacobs understands that great mentors are winners

"In football, you meet a lot of nice people. You make a lot of friends," said Jacobs, who credits Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White as someone who has had an extremely positive influence on his life. "When I was in high school, he was one of the guys I looked up to. He was in college at LSU at the time. I liked the way he played and the way he carried himself off the field. So I've watched him since I was in high school, and man, last year it was a blessing to even get his jersey and talk to him, so it was awesome."

Speaking of jerseys, Jacobs was able to honor his experience with forward Tre’Davious White when he returned to his old stomping grounds at Hutchinson Community College in March and retired his own jersey. That same month, Jacobs chaired the 1st Annual Jerry Jacobs Football Camp, where he enjoyed the opportunity to share both his elite football expertise and his all-important positive message with the next generation of potential NFL players.

The 1st Annual Jerry Jacobs Football Camp @SouthCobb_FB was a great success. ⁦ @_luhjerry shared his story and worked with campers all day. @Lions have a baller who knows his roots. The future is bright... #LAW #WakeUpAndEat pic.twitter.com/RurP6Wr3Ci

– SC_HS Football (@SouthCobb_FB) March 28, 2023

Another initiative that is close to Jacobs’ heart is his “Seatbelt Gang” merchandise brand. He donates a portion of every sale to provide resources and better outcomes for young people in Detroit. “I was in the same position once,” says Jacobs. “I didn’t have a lot of older guys who had made it to the league coming back to my area and talking to me.” For Jacob’s, investing time and money in young people through sport is a priceless reward. "Man, sport helps with a lot of things and it helps with things in life outside of football. When you're stressed and angry, sport takes your mind off other things, you know?" Always an elite athlete, Jacobs still hungered for his own rewards. “I still have a lot to do,” he says. "I want to go from undrafted jacket to gold jacket, so I'm trying to get that gold jacket! I've been through a lot of adversity throughout my life and when I look back, you know I'm at the highest level and there's nothing better than playing in the NFL."