‘It’s bigger than me.’ Raiders RB aims to end youth homelessness in Super Bowl commercial
Some time during Super Bowl LIV, there will be a 60-second commercial featuring Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.
In the commercial, Jacobs discusses the perseverance he’s needed since childhood with his family homeless and sometimes living in a car.
Now, Jacobs is teaming up with Kia Motors America to help fight youth homelessness.
“You got to believe in yourself,” Jacobs says in the commercial. “Be tougher than the world around you.”
For every yard gained during the Super Bowl, Kia’s “Yards Against Homelessness” initiative will donate $1,000 to three charity partners dedicated to ending the issue of youth homelessness.
In the ad, Jacobs watches his “younger self” in a Kia 2021 Seltos SUV and gives the young Jacobs encouragement and advice.
“It’s bigger than me because it’s impacting other people,” Jacobs told The Bee as he recounted his rough upbringing by phone Friday in Miami.
That continued on Twitter this week when Jacobs gave the “Future 28” some added words.
Jacobs, who grew up in Tulsa, Okla., went on to play Division I football at Alabama. After college, Jacobs was drafted by the Raiders with the 24th overall pick.
He proved his worth this season:
▪ Jacobs broke Allen’s rookie club record (697 yards) in just his first eight games, while surpassing Allen for most 100-yard rushing performances (five) by a rookie in Raiders history.
▪ He also became the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson (2001) to score two rushing touchdowns and 100 yards from scrimmage in his rookie debut and also became the first player in franchise history to score two rushing touchdowns in his NFL debut.
▪ Jacobs earned two NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors (October and November). By the way, he’s up for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award on Friday.
Yes, Jacobs has come a long way since his homeless days.
He even bought his father a house earlier this month.
Jacobs hopes other children who face the same situation he once was in can overcome their problems, too.
This story was originally published January 31, 2020 at 7:16 PM with the headline "‘It’s bigger than me.’ Raiders RB aims to end youth homelessness in Super Bowl commercial."
