August 28, 2024 • 16 mins
In this episode of the Packers POV podcast, running back Josh Jacobs shares the meaning behind his tattoos, details his passion for fishing and talks about his own legacy.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hello, and welcome to Packers POV, a podcast that aims
to shine a light on the human behind the helmet.
I'm your host, Taylor Rodgers, and we are here inside
historic lambeau Field. Today's guest broke the Raiders rookie record
for rushing yards in twenty nineteen. A few years later,
he led the NFL in rushing while becoming a first
team All Pro. I'm thrilled to welcome new Packers running
(00:29):
back Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Appreciate it, man, Yeah, it's real. Yeah, it's real. You've
already done all that, man, Man crazy.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
How's it going for you now in Green Bay?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Man? I'm living it out here, man.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
It's just the culture, you know, the energy in the
locker room, you know, throughout the coaches and not only that, man,
a city man. I went to Target the other day
and so many people were just showing me Lois. I
was like, Yeah, I'm like it out here.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
That's phenomenal. I'm glad you're getting some good rapport with
the fans now. Oklahoma, Alabama, California, Nevada, Wisconsin. How is
it so far?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
I actually like it man, because I'm I'm a real
chill dude. You know, like I like to do outdoors stuff.
I like to like, you know, fish and stuff like that.
So like it's perfect for me here because it's quiet
and it's like everything that I like to do, So
it's perfect.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
I want to get to the fishing because I know
that's a real interest for you. Off the field. And
you've already mentioned running into fans. Is there one fan
interaction you've had that stood out?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Man?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Yeah, So I just came back from Oklahoma and man,
like the people on the plane was going crazy.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
They was like, we don't want to make a big deal,
but like.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
H like, I was like, like why is it fans
on the plane? But yeah, that was probably like my
like kind of surreal moment.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
They're definitely smaller planes to get you to Green Bay, right, Yeah,
they got less.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Space to space at all. Like I'm like yeah, and
it is funny because I have my hoodie owed and everything.
I'm like hoodie headphones. I'm like they still do. So
it was kind of crazy.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
So some f stopped you and you sort of had
some back and forth with them in the plane itself.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Yeah, or right before we got into the plane and
in the plane and then you know, when I was leaving,
it was like, man, what did you too honest to
ask for a pitch? I'm like, it's okay, let's do it.
And then you know, they was like, man, we wish
you best to look. And that's kind of how it went.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
That's a beautiful thing. And you've been here now long
enough already where you realize that the packers matter in Wisconsin.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
It's everything. It's everything out here. So I understated it.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Man, I love it. Man, it reminds me of college now.
It reminds me being back in college. So it's a
great feel.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah, college at Alabama. And you mentioned fishing. Yeah, when
did you get into that?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Oh, probably like elementary school, like fourth fifth grade, Like
my first time like really going out and catching the
fish on my own, like taking it off the hook
and you know, putting a worm on the hook and everything.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Probably like fourth and fifth grade.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
And then like as I got to college, I started
like progressing and what I was catching, you know, bigger fish,
you know, more aggressive fish or you know, things like that.
And then like ever since then, it's like every summer
I make like a point to do like at least
three times before I go back to you know football,
So it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And what are some of the fish you're talking about?
You said aggressive?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, I would say the hardest fish I ever caught
was probably probably the goliath grouper.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
It was a workout.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
It was probably like two fifty three hundred pounds. It
took me like fifteen twenty minutes to bring it in
and I was I was done. After that body was sore,
I was like, yeah, I'm good.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
And then what happens when it gets the boat?
Speaker 3 (03:30):
So you don't keep it because you know, that's a
big fish. It's not like a fish you eat. It's
more of just like a fish that's kind of like
known to give you a fight. You let it sit
there for a little bit, let it breathe a little
bit so it can be able to swim and have
strength to swim.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
You know. So that's kind of what we do.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Do you have a fishing spot that stood out to
you if you could go there right now? What would
it be?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Oh, you know, I liked fishing and cabo Actually I
had caught some tuna, some blue fin tuna, and some marlin.
So yeah, I'll probably say that was like my funnest,
like just fishing trip. But if I want to really
just like go relax, I go to Oklahoma and go
back home and go fish.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
And what's something else that packers fans need to know
about Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
I would say, I'm a very like chill, genuine dude man,
Like I don't really like to do too much, Like
it was just crazy, Like I just spend time with family.
I feel like that's you know, something that I enjoy doing,
you know, or like having the teammates over, you know,
cookout and stuff like that. Like that's things that I
like I do. I like, you know, like having memories.
So that's kind of what I'm into.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
One of your big memories as of late, it would
seem to me, would be when you signed your contract
to become a packer and your son Braxton was right
by your side. Yeah, what was that experience?
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Like he was talking about it for the old rest
of the week. He was one of the cheese head
around everywhere.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
He was ready.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
He was like he was telling all his friends in school. Man,
it's just exciting, man. I tell people all the time
just to be able to you know, let him see
it and you know, like experience it. And he like
you know, he might not even know how big it
is right now, you know, but like growing up, I
think he appreciated.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
So it sounds like he's already bought in.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Yeah, he let it. They sold him with the cheese head.
It was over with.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
That's amazing. And you've described Braxton as extremely smart.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yeah, extremely smart. Yeah, Like we put him into school early,
like a year earlier. You know, he knows uh, Spanish
and all of that. Like we kind of like got
it on him early because we wanted to make it
easier for him. You know, the earlier you can learn
stuff to develop, the easier you know, your progression and
to be growing up. So yeah, I think he's reading
like three grade levels above.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
And what else do you guys like to do together?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
He loves Spider Man. He's really into Spider Man right now.
So anything Spider Man.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I got him a Spider Man you know the game
and uh, you know anything Miles Morales or whatever, Shouls
or we just.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Went to see King Kong the other day, anything like that,
Like he loved it. So that's like his deal.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
That's really cool. And it sounds like you're meeting him
where he's at.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Yeah, man, cause you gotta stay. You know, it'd be phrazy,
you know, so like I try to let him enjoy that.
Like before a Spider Man, it was Michael Jackson. He
was in a Michael Jackson phase for like a year
or two. For Halloween. He had the glove, he had,
he had the blazer, he had everything like you do.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
The dances. He probably know the songs better than me.
Like you know, I'm still like he is singing it.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
He likes to sing this stuff. So I'm interested to
see what's the next next phase for him.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Are there some moments where it registers as you're watching
Braxton and you realize this is a mini men?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah, man, I mean from the first day he was born.
It's actually crazy.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
So the same day I saw it, the February third,
twenty sixteen, he was born, it was just like a
surreal moment. It was like a you know, whirlwind of emotions.
But when I seen him, I'm like, man, it like me, literally,
So like when I see him now growing up, I'm like, man,
he looked like me.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
But he's probably gonna be bigger.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Man.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
He's pretty big for his age.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And you're talking about signing day for Alabama or Alabama
and Nick Saban. What stands out looking back on that day?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Now, Oh man, I'm looking back at it. I remember
everything really man coming in. I wanted my teammates to
be involved in it, so you know, I had all
my teammates on stage with me and meeting saving and
actually talking to him, and how when I went on
my visit, he never really discussed football. He was just
talking about, like, you know, how he could develop me
(07:18):
as a man, and how he can you know, allow
me to have be in certain rooms and have certain
connections to just be successful in life. And I think
that's what sold me more than anything.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
I didn't really.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Believe in myself at that time that like NFL was
a reality for me. You know, I was just happy
to be at college. I was like, I never thought
college was a reality, So I was just going out.
I'm like, man, I'm gonna give it everything I got
in there.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Let it play out, see how it goes.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
It went swimmingly. The play that stands out to me
from your days at Alabama, of course, is that rushing touchdown.
Yeah it's a tattoo. If I'm not mistaken that.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yep, it's on my leg.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Yeah, can you describe that play, I would say, fun
fact about me, All my tattoos have meanings and so
like I got some space missing, but it's because I
have nothing to foot there.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
But that played.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Man, we was playing Oklahoma, so obviously, you know, it
was already a big game because all my friends back
home they talking mess to me about you know, we're
playing Oklahoma, you know, Colin Murray all of this, and
we're playing them in Miami. So it was just one
of them games where I'm like, man, look, I told
coaches all week like I'm gonna be on one this game,
like this is the one for me, you know, and
they was like all right, Like we come out and
I remember, like in warm ups, my dad and my
(08:25):
uncles and everybody came and I remember like, you know,
looking up to them, and then that's all I remember. Yeah,
I said that, like I felt like I could do
no wrong in the game. It was one of them
games where I was just so locked in. But I
actually when I came out and I seen the dude,
it was so much space. I could have either ran
in or you know, juked them or whatever. But I
seen the way he was attacking me. He was kind
of like sitting like I'm like we ten yards apart
(08:47):
and you not meeting me, like it's gonna be a collision.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And that just happened to be what it was.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
But I feel like that was the moment that kind
of like changed the trajectory of like really my life
really like deciding to come out, you know, to go
to the draft, you know, putting out the college football
you know, in the league on notice. Really that's why
I got to tell it on them. I felt like
it was a big pivotal point for me.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
You mentioned that the tattoos have meeting. What are some
and what do they represent?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Okay, So I have my grandma on my hand. I
put her on my left hand because they say, like
the left veins is the ones that directly run to
your heart, so like everything that has like real like
deeper meaning. I put it on my left side, on
my body, and yeah, man, I kind of put my
you know, my heritage on there. You know some things
my grandma told me before she passed.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
That's on me. My family, that's on me.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
And then like on my back, it's basically a story
of my life on my back. So like from sleeping
in the car being homeless to you know, going to school.
It's almost like a road to glory path the top
is still empty because I feel like I'm still finding
out that path right now.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
You mentioned sleeping in the car, and this is with
your four siblings in Tulsa, Oklahoma. What did that experience
teach you?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Man?
Speaker 3 (09:56):
You know what's crazy is like at that time, I
didn't understand it, you know, I was so like young, like,
you know, this is like middle school, you know, like
beginning in high school. I didn't really fully like comprehend
what was going on. I was so just with my family,
you know, and everything. I was comfortable.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
You know.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
It wasn't like I didn't feel like I was doing
anything out of the you know, the norm until like
I really went to college and my first like month
at college was kind of hard for me. And it
wasn't hard in the sense of not being away from
everybody that was okay. It was more so like just
being comfortable where I was at. Like I told people,
like my roommate used to come in there, like he's
my best friend to this day, earth Smith. He used
(10:33):
to come in there and he was like, man, why
are you sleeping on the floor? I used to make
a palette on the floor. I'm like, bro, that's why
I'm used to it. Like I can't sleep on the bed,
Like it's not comfortable for me right now. And so
like me and him had some you know, some tough conversations,
and that's when I kind of like realized, like what
I went through was it normal? You know what I'm saying,
Like just the way I grew up and everything wasn't normal.
(10:54):
So that kind of like opened my eyes and like
changed my perspective on it. Kind of made me appreciate,
you know, my pops in and my siblings a lot more.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
And looking back, now, what's something that you still take
with you to this day.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
I take a lot of things.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
First, I tell people all the time, my biggest fear
in life is to go backwards and whatever that looks like,
just to go backwards, that's my biggest fear. And so
like doing everything that I did, like coming throughout that,
you know, learning how to control your emotions because you know,
some days like situations you get angry, you don't really understand,
you know what I'm saying, why and stuff like certain
things is happening to you.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
I would say, I learned that.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
I learned work ethic real early, that nothing's given that
you got to go out there and work for it
and do that and be that person. And then I
also learned, you know, faith, you know what I'm saying,
Like when things don't make sense and you know, and
you feel like things is too hard for you, you know,
it's somebody you can give it to you, you know,
And that's kind of the things that I learned the most.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
You mentioned that you didn't really know what was happening
at that time, and it made me think of your son, Braxton,
who's credited with saving your own dad's life. Yeah, he
called nine one on so your dad could go and
get emergency heart surgery.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Is there anything that jumped out at you from that
story looking back now a year plus removed?
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Yeah, man, I mean it still kind of made me emotional,
be honest. I mean I think about all the time, Like,
so my dad and my son are like best friends.
Like if me and him kind of like all right,
I'll tell you, he go to my dad. You know
what I'm saying, They kind of like, you know, but
they've been that way since he was born, So for
him to be there and comprehend what was going on
because my pops he couldn't talk. He was kind of,
(12:32):
you know, irresponsive. So like when my son like called
and told him, like you know, where he was at
and doing all of that, it kind of surprised me
because you know, like we teach him like you and
I know where you live, you know, know your phone
numbers just in case something happened to you and things
like that. But like for him to do it in
a major moment like that, I think it was crazy.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Man.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I mean to this day, like even coming back to
playing that game, that was probably one of the hardest
games I've ever played in just because I was like, mentally,
was wasn't there?
Speaker 2 (12:56):
You know, so like that brings back a lot of
emotions to your point.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
You play just a few days after that happened.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, I landed the day before and then played. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
So yeah, you said this about your dad to Aaron Andrews.
If I could be half the parent he is to
my kids, then I'll be good. What's the most important
lesson your dad taught you?
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Man?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Man, he taught me so much. I would say, just
this outlook on life. Really, you know, single parent raising
five kids and never complaining, you know, never like being selfish.
There's been times where I've seen him literally not eat,
you know what I'm saying, because we didn't have enough
food for all of us. So like it's been times
I've seen him sacrifice. I've seen them, you know, like
care like if I was mad, you know, because at
(13:40):
that time, me and my mom, we didn't have the
greatest relationship. Like you know, by the time I got
like a later high school, we kind of mended that,
and like you know, in the college we mended and
stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
But like earlier on, we didn't have the best relationship.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
And he used to always tell me, like I could
see the picture in his face and everything to this
day is like he was like, man, at the end
of the day, like you know, that's your mom, and
you get one of them, you're gonna have to forever
love him. And like I used to be like, man,
I never really understood that, Like I never I'm like,
are you not mad? You know what I'm saying, Like
I never really understood that until I started having like,
you know, kids, and I'm like, man, okay, I get
(14:12):
it now, you know what I'm saying. Like I get it,
but man, just to be that strong, you know, be
that that's selfless. I think that's the biggest lessons that
I really take from him.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
It's making me emotional hearing you talk about through your
dad what your mom means, right, And I can tell
just talking with you now, like your dad is a
big part about who you are. Is there anything you'd
like to say to him?
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I just try to make sure he know that, like,
you know, I appreciate everything he did, and you know
that I love him, and you know that's the reason
why he don't have to worry about nothing right now.
You know, I bought him a house. He don't have
to pay for no bills, you know what I'm saying,
Nothing like that, need groceries. That's taken care of. But
it's just a small way that I could show him
that I appreciate him, you know. And you know, at
the end of the day, I feel like I owe
everything to him because I don't feel like I would
(14:57):
be here if it wasn't for you know, the God
and the patience and the values that he instilled in me.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
You've described him as your rock. You yourself have been
such a rock to the family that matters so much
to you. What do you want your legacy to be? Man?
Speaker 2 (15:13):
You know, it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
I think about this a lot, you know, I've been
thinking about this a lot, and I'm telling people, Man,
I feel like I'm at that point now where it's
like it's about legacy in my life, you know, in
my career. You know, Man, at the end of the day,
I want people to know that I'm just a real person,
you know, like I'm not perfect. I don't think I'm
better than anybody or anything like that. You know, I
battle with things, I struggle with things, but at the
(15:35):
end of the day that I'm genuine and now I
truly you know, show love and give love to people, man.
And I think that's what I want my legacy to be. Man,
I don't even necessarily think about football. I just think about,
you know, the lives I can touch. That's why whenever
I go home, I try to go to my high
school and practice with the kids and give them pointers
and you know, give them money even like you know,
(15:57):
for real for groceries and stuff like that. You know,
like just how Leo Mark Man. I think that that's
a big reason why I'm here. I feel like God
put me on this platform to be able to affect
and you know, such other people, and I think that
that's everything.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Josh. That's a beautiful way to close. And it's been
an honor sitting down to talk with you. I know
how much the off the field part means to you.
And thank you so much for sharing your time here.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Today, man, thank you for having me, man, let's get it, and.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Thank you for listening to Packers POV. To learn more
about what Josh is doing off the field, visit his instagram.
I Am Underscore Josh Jacobs. Take care and see you
next time.
Hello, and welcome to Packers POV, a podcast that aims
to shine a light on the human behind the helmet.
I'm your host, Taylor Rodgers, and we are here inside
historic lambeau Field. Today's guest broke the Raiders rookie record
for rushing yards in twenty nineteen. A few years later,
he led the NFL in rushing while becoming a first
team All Pro. I'm thrilled to welcome new Packers running
(00:29):
back Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Appreciate it, man, Yeah, it's real. Yeah, it's real. You've
already done all that, man, Man crazy.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
How's it going for you now in Green Bay?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Man? I'm living it out here, man.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
It's just the culture, you know, the energy in the
locker room, you know, throughout the coaches and not only that, man,
a city man. I went to Target the other day
and so many people were just showing me Lois. I
was like, Yeah, I'm like it out here.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
That's phenomenal. I'm glad you're getting some good rapport with
the fans now. Oklahoma, Alabama, California, Nevada, Wisconsin. How is
it so far?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
I actually like it man, because I'm I'm a real
chill dude. You know, like I like to do outdoors stuff.
I like to like, you know, fish and stuff like that.
So like it's perfect for me here because it's quiet
and it's like everything that I like to do, So
it's perfect.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
I want to get to the fishing because I know
that's a real interest for you. Off the field. And
you've already mentioned running into fans. Is there one fan
interaction you've had that stood out?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Man?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Yeah, So I just came back from Oklahoma and man,
like the people on the plane was going crazy.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
They was like, we don't want to make a big deal,
but like.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
H like, I was like, like why is it fans
on the plane? But yeah, that was probably like my
like kind of surreal moment.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
They're definitely smaller planes to get you to Green Bay, right, Yeah,
they got less.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Space to space at all. Like I'm like yeah, and
it is funny because I have my hoodie owed and everything.
I'm like hoodie headphones. I'm like they still do. So
it was kind of crazy.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
So some f stopped you and you sort of had
some back and forth with them in the plane itself.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Yeah, or right before we got into the plane and
in the plane and then you know, when I was leaving,
it was like, man, what did you too honest to
ask for a pitch? I'm like, it's okay, let's do it.
And then you know, they was like, man, we wish
you best to look. And that's kind of how it went.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
That's a beautiful thing. And you've been here now long
enough already where you realize that the packers matter in Wisconsin.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
It's everything. It's everything out here. So I understated it.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Man, I love it. Man, it reminds me of college now.
It reminds me being back in college. So it's a
great feel.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah, college at Alabama. And you mentioned fishing. Yeah, when
did you get into that?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Oh, probably like elementary school, like fourth fifth grade, Like
my first time like really going out and catching the
fish on my own, like taking it off the hook
and you know, putting a worm on the hook and everything.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Probably like fourth and fifth grade.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
And then like as I got to college, I started
like progressing and what I was catching, you know, bigger fish,
you know, more aggressive fish or you know, things like that.
And then like ever since then, it's like every summer
I make like a point to do like at least
three times before I go back to you know football,
So it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
And what are some of the fish you're talking about?
You said aggressive?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, I would say the hardest fish I ever caught
was probably probably the goliath grouper.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
It was a workout.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
It was probably like two fifty three hundred pounds. It
took me like fifteen twenty minutes to bring it in
and I was I was done. After that body was sore,
I was like, yeah, I'm good.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
And then what happens when it gets the boat?
Speaker 3 (03:30):
So you don't keep it because you know, that's a
big fish. It's not like a fish you eat. It's
more of just like a fish that's kind of like
known to give you a fight. You let it sit
there for a little bit, let it breathe a little
bit so it can be able to swim and have
strength to swim.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
You know. So that's kind of what we do.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Do you have a fishing spot that stood out to
you if you could go there right now? What would
it be?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Oh, you know, I liked fishing and cabo Actually I
had caught some tuna, some blue fin tuna, and some marlin.
So yeah, I'll probably say that was like my funnest,
like just fishing trip. But if I want to really
just like go relax, I go to Oklahoma and go
back home and go fish.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
And what's something else that packers fans need to know
about Josh Jacobs.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
I would say, I'm a very like chill, genuine dude man,
Like I don't really like to do too much, Like
it was just crazy, Like I just spend time with family.
I feel like that's you know, something that I enjoy doing,
you know, or like having the teammates over, you know,
cookout and stuff like that. Like that's things that I
like I do. I like, you know, like having memories.
So that's kind of what I'm into.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
One of your big memories as of late, it would
seem to me, would be when you signed your contract
to become a packer and your son Braxton was right
by your side. Yeah, what was that experience?
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Like he was talking about it for the old rest
of the week. He was one of the cheese head
around everywhere.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
He was ready.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
He was like he was telling all his friends in school. Man,
it's just exciting, man. I tell people all the time
just to be able to you know, let him see
it and you know, like experience it. And he like
you know, he might not even know how big it
is right now, you know, but like growing up, I
think he appreciated.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
So it sounds like he's already bought in.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Yeah, he let it. They sold him with the cheese head.
It was over with.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
That's amazing. And you've described Braxton as extremely smart.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yeah, extremely smart. Yeah, Like we put him into school early,
like a year earlier. You know, he knows uh, Spanish
and all of that. Like we kind of like got
it on him early because we wanted to make it
easier for him. You know, the earlier you can learn
stuff to develop, the easier you know, your progression and
to be growing up. So yeah, I think he's reading
like three grade levels above.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
And what else do you guys like to do together?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
He loves Spider Man. He's really into Spider Man right now.
So anything Spider Man.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I got him a Spider Man you know the game
and uh, you know anything Miles Morales or whatever, Shouls
or we just.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
Went to see King Kong the other day, anything like that,
Like he loved it. So that's like his deal.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
That's really cool. And it sounds like you're meeting him
where he's at.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Yeah, man, cause you gotta stay. You know, it'd be phrazy,
you know, so like I try to let him enjoy that.
Like before a Spider Man, it was Michael Jackson. He
was in a Michael Jackson phase for like a year
or two. For Halloween. He had the glove, he had,
he had the blazer, he had everything like you do.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
The dances. He probably know the songs better than me.
Like you know, I'm still like he is singing it.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
He likes to sing this stuff. So I'm interested to
see what's the next next phase for him.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Are there some moments where it registers as you're watching
Braxton and you realize this is a mini men?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah, man, I mean from the first day he was born.
It's actually crazy.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
So the same day I saw it, the February third,
twenty sixteen, he was born, it was just like a
surreal moment. It was like a you know, whirlwind of emotions.
But when I seen him, I'm like, man, it like me, literally,
So like when I see him now growing up, I'm like, man,
he looked like me.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
But he's probably gonna be bigger.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Man.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
He's pretty big for his age.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And you're talking about signing day for Alabama or Alabama
and Nick Saban. What stands out looking back on that day?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Now, Oh man, I'm looking back at it. I remember
everything really man coming in. I wanted my teammates to
be involved in it, so you know, I had all
my teammates on stage with me and meeting saving and
actually talking to him, and how when I went on
my visit, he never really discussed football. He was just
talking about, like, you know, how he could develop me
(07:18):
as a man, and how he can you know, allow
me to have be in certain rooms and have certain
connections to just be successful in life. And I think
that's what sold me more than anything.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
I didn't really.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Believe in myself at that time that like NFL was
a reality for me. You know, I was just happy
to be at college. I was like, I never thought
college was a reality, So I was just going out.
I'm like, man, I'm gonna give it everything I got
in there.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Let it play out, see how it goes.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
It went swimmingly. The play that stands out to me
from your days at Alabama, of course, is that rushing touchdown.
Yeah it's a tattoo. If I'm not mistaken that.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yep, it's on my leg.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Yeah, can you describe that play, I would say, fun
fact about me, All my tattoos have meanings and so
like I got some space missing, but it's because I
have nothing to foot there.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
But that played.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Man, we was playing Oklahoma, so obviously, you know, it
was already a big game because all my friends back
home they talking mess to me about you know, we're
playing Oklahoma, you know, Colin Murray all of this, and
we're playing them in Miami. So it was just one
of them games where I'm like, man, look, I told
coaches all week like I'm gonna be on one this game,
like this is the one for me, you know, and
they was like all right, Like we come out and
I remember, like in warm ups, my dad and my
(08:25):
uncles and everybody came and I remember like, you know,
looking up to them, and then that's all I remember. Yeah,
I said that, like I felt like I could do
no wrong in the game. It was one of them
games where I was just so locked in. But I
actually when I came out and I seen the dude,
it was so much space. I could have either ran
in or you know, juked them or whatever. But I
seen the way he was attacking me. He was kind
of like sitting like I'm like we ten yards apart
(08:47):
and you not meeting me, like it's gonna be a collision.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And that just happened to be what it was.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
But I feel like that was the moment that kind
of like changed the trajectory of like really my life
really like deciding to come out, you know, to go
to the draft, you know, putting out the college football
you know, in the league on notice. Really that's why
I got to tell it on them. I felt like
it was a big pivotal point for me.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
You mentioned that the tattoos have meeting. What are some
and what do they represent?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Okay, So I have my grandma on my hand. I
put her on my left hand because they say, like
the left veins is the ones that directly run to
your heart, so like everything that has like real like
deeper meaning. I put it on my left side, on
my body, and yeah, man, I kind of put my
you know, my heritage on there. You know some things
my grandma told me before she passed.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
That's on me. My family, that's on me.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
And then like on my back, it's basically a story
of my life on my back. So like from sleeping
in the car being homeless to you know, going to school.
It's almost like a road to glory path the top
is still empty because I feel like I'm still finding
out that path right now.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
You mentioned sleeping in the car, and this is with
your four siblings in Tulsa, Oklahoma. What did that experience
teach you?
Speaker 2 (09:56):
Man?
Speaker 3 (09:56):
You know what's crazy is like at that time, I
didn't understand it, you know, I was so like young, like,
you know, this is like middle school, you know, like
beginning in high school. I didn't really fully like comprehend
what was going on. I was so just with my family,
you know, and everything. I was comfortable.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
You know.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
It wasn't like I didn't feel like I was doing
anything out of the you know, the norm until like
I really went to college and my first like month
at college was kind of hard for me. And it
wasn't hard in the sense of not being away from
everybody that was okay. It was more so like just
being comfortable where I was at. Like I told people,
like my roommate used to come in there, like he's
my best friend to this day, earth Smith. He used
(10:33):
to come in there and he was like, man, why
are you sleeping on the floor? I used to make
a palette on the floor. I'm like, bro, that's why
I'm used to it. Like I can't sleep on the bed,
Like it's not comfortable for me right now. And so
like me and him had some you know, some tough conversations,
and that's when I kind of like realized, like what
I went through was it normal? You know what I'm saying,
Like just the way I grew up and everything wasn't normal.
(10:54):
So that kind of like opened my eyes and like
changed my perspective on it. Kind of made me appreciate,
you know, my pops in and my siblings a lot more.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
And looking back, now, what's something that you still take
with you to this day.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
I take a lot of things.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
First, I tell people all the time, my biggest fear
in life is to go backwards and whatever that looks like,
just to go backwards, that's my biggest fear. And so
like doing everything that I did, like coming throughout that,
you know, learning how to control your emotions because you know,
some days like situations you get angry, you don't really understand,
you know what I'm saying, why and stuff like certain
things is happening to you.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
I would say, I learned that.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
I learned work ethic real early, that nothing's given that
you got to go out there and work for it
and do that and be that person. And then I
also learned, you know, faith, you know what I'm saying,
Like when things don't make sense and you know, and
you feel like things is too hard for you, you know,
it's somebody you can give it to you, you know,
And that's kind of the things that I learned the most.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
You mentioned that you didn't really know what was happening
at that time, and it made me think of your son, Braxton,
who's credited with saving your own dad's life. Yeah, he
called nine one on so your dad could go and
get emergency heart surgery.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Is there anything that jumped out at you from that
story looking back now a year plus removed?
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Yeah, man, I mean it still kind of made me emotional,
be honest. I mean I think about all the time, Like,
so my dad and my son are like best friends.
Like if me and him kind of like all right,
I'll tell you, he go to my dad. You know
what I'm saying, They kind of like, you know, but
they've been that way since he was born, So for
him to be there and comprehend what was going on
because my pops he couldn't talk. He was kind of,
(12:32):
you know, irresponsive. So like when my son like called
and told him, like you know, where he was at
and doing all of that, it kind of surprised me
because you know, like we teach him like you and
I know where you live, you know, know your phone
numbers just in case something happened to you and things
like that. But like for him to do it in
a major moment like that, I think it was crazy.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Man.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
I mean to this day, like even coming back to
playing that game, that was probably one of the hardest
games I've ever played in just because I was like, mentally,
was wasn't there?
Speaker 2 (12:56):
You know, so like that brings back a lot of
emotions to your point.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
You play just a few days after that happened.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Yeah, I landed the day before and then played. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
So yeah, you said this about your dad to Aaron Andrews.
If I could be half the parent he is to
my kids, then I'll be good. What's the most important
lesson your dad taught you?
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Man?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Man, he taught me so much. I would say, just
this outlook on life. Really, you know, single parent raising
five kids and never complaining, you know, never like being selfish.
There's been times where I've seen him literally not eat,
you know what I'm saying, because we didn't have enough
food for all of us. So like it's been times
I've seen him sacrifice. I've seen them, you know, like
care like if I was mad, you know, because at
(13:40):
that time, me and my mom, we didn't have the
greatest relationship. Like you know, by the time I got
like a later high school, we kind of mended that,
and like you know, in the college we mended and
stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
But like earlier on, we didn't have the best relationship.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
And he used to always tell me, like I could
see the picture in his face and everything to this
day is like he was like, man, at the end
of the day, like you know, that's your mom, and
you get one of them, you're gonna have to forever
love him. And like I used to be like, man,
I never really understood that, Like I never I'm like,
are you not mad? You know what I'm saying, Like
I never really understood that until I started having like,
you know, kids, and I'm like, man, okay, I get
(14:12):
it now, you know what I'm saying. Like I get it,
but man, just to be that strong, you know, be
that that's selfless. I think that's the biggest lessons that
I really take from him.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
It's making me emotional hearing you talk about through your
dad what your mom means, right, And I can tell
just talking with you now, like your dad is a
big part about who you are. Is there anything you'd
like to say to him?
Speaker 3 (14:36):
I just try to make sure he know that, like,
you know, I appreciate everything he did, and you know
that I love him, and you know that's the reason
why he don't have to worry about nothing right now.
You know, I bought him a house. He don't have
to pay for no bills, you know what I'm saying,
Nothing like that, need groceries. That's taken care of. But
it's just a small way that I could show him
that I appreciate him, you know. And you know, at
the end of the day, I feel like I owe
everything to him because I don't feel like I would
(14:57):
be here if it wasn't for you know, the God
and the patience and the values that he instilled in me.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
You've described him as your rock. You yourself have been
such a rock to the family that matters so much
to you. What do you want your legacy to be? Man?
Speaker 2 (15:13):
You know, it's crazy.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
I think about this a lot, you know, I've been
thinking about this a lot, and I'm telling people, Man,
I feel like I'm at that point now where it's
like it's about legacy in my life, you know, in
my career. You know, Man, at the end of the day,
I want people to know that I'm just a real person,
you know, like I'm not perfect. I don't think I'm
better than anybody or anything like that. You know, I
battle with things, I struggle with things, but at the
(15:35):
end of the day that I'm genuine and now I
truly you know, show love and give love to people, man.
And I think that's what I want my legacy to be. Man,
I don't even necessarily think about football. I just think about,
you know, the lives I can touch. That's why whenever
I go home, I try to go to my high
school and practice with the kids and give them pointers
and you know, give them money even like you know,
(15:57):
for real for groceries and stuff like that. You know,
like just how Leo Mark Man. I think that that's
a big reason why I'm here. I feel like God
put me on this platform to be able to affect
and you know, such other people, and I think that
that's everything.
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Josh. That's a beautiful way to close. And it's been
an honor sitting down to talk with you. I know
how much the off the field part means to you.
And thank you so much for sharing your time here.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Today, man, thank you for having me, man, let's get it, and.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Thank you for listening to Packers POV. To learn more
about what Josh is doing off the field, visit his instagram.
I Am Underscore Josh Jacobs. Take care and see you
next time.
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