Jahmyr Gibbs has come into his own as one of the most dynamic young running backs in the league. Empowering the Detroit Lions offense, Gibbs is a regular highlight on the field. However, his surging popularity has led to us finding the inside scoop on the more personal side of his life. Let’s take a look at everything we know about Gibbs, from his relationship to his hobbies.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ Relationship With Nicole Anderson
An Illinois native and Millikin University product, Nicole Anderson got her Bachelor’s degree in social work and is now a prominent member of the real estate world.
Working for Keller Williams North Shore West in her hometown, she is also very active on social media, garnering over 111K followers, and officially earning the influencer tag as well. Going through her social media posts, one can see many glimpses of her life, particularly of many world travels.
Half-Korean and half-Swedish, Anderson is a common sight at Detroit games, cheering Gibbs on from the crowds. One such moment was caught on camera after the Lions’ Week 16 game of the 2024 regular season.
A spectacular outing from Gibbs, as he added 109 yards and scored his 12th rushing touchdown of the season, ended with a shared moment between the couple.
This is too cute 🥹 (via kristinabuckner/TikTok)@Jahmyr_Gibbs1 | @Lions pic.twitter.com/gbAXq2AGfu
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
Locking eyes with Anderson, Gibbs rushed over to her in the stands, greeting her with a hug. As fans around them cheered the two on, the moment was sweet enough for the NFL to even post it on their social media.
It is unclear when or how the two met. However, looking at her activity on social media, the general estimate that fans have drawn is around early 2023.
Who Are Gibbs’ Parents and Siblings?
Gibbs’ story is one that is sure to bring a tear to anyone’s eye. Born to Neka Willis, the superstar RB had to face early-life struggles and was raised by his grandmother Angela Willis till he was 13.
Growing up in a shelter, Gibbs was eventually adopted by Dusty and Greg Ross, and the three elders played a pivotal role in shaping him to be the man he is today.
Greg and Dusty are proud parents of four sons — Max, John, Ahmaad Tanner, and Jahmyr. Ahmaad Tanner also played football for Austin Peay State University.
Inspired by his family’s love and encouragement, Gibbs flourished in the sport, first shining in high school before making his mark in college.
Gibbs’ biological mother has remained in the background of his public life. However, she, too, contributed to his journey. Simultaneously, though not directly responsible for him, the elder Willis continues to play a part in his life.
Dusty, in particular, is active on social media, frequently expressing her pride and support for Gibbs and his brothers.
Back in 2023, Georgia Tech running backs coach Tashard Choice revealed he wanted to make Gibbs one of the leading voices in the team’s locker room, but he refused, to which Ross said: “He just naturally loves football. He’s just … a little more reserved and a little quieter.”
On the other hand, Gibbs’ adoptive mother was in disbelief when Choice told the family about Gibbs’ potential.
She said: “You’re thinking, is this just somebody else blowing smoke up our butt like everybody else? But we were big football fans and knew how good (Gibbs) was. Here was a coach who played at the highest level, telling us what we’d been seeing. I’ll remember that call as long as I live.”
What Is Gibbs’ Net Worth?
Represented by Todd France and Ryan Williams of Athletes First, Gibbs signed a four-year, $17,845,130 contract with the Lions. He received a $9,978,276 signing bonus and is fully guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $4,461,283.
In 2024, the Lions RB will earn a base salary of $915,000 and a roster bonus of $646,143. His cap hit will be $4,055,712, and his dead cap value will be around $14,600,561. Being a first-round pick, the Lions will entertain his fifth-year option down the road.
Gibbs’ net worth is estimated at around $8 million. Most of this value is attributed to his rookie contract with the Lions. In addition to his NFL earnings, Gibbs has endorsement deals with brands such as Caktus AI and Leaf Trading Cards.
Before transitioning to the NFL, he also collaborated with brands like Nike, Ashley Furniture, and Party City. He boasted a NIL valuation of $741,000 (as per On3).
What Interests Jahmyr Gibbs Outside of Football?
Jahmyr Gibbs might be one of the most talented players on the football field. But, he is a man of many talents, extending far beyond the length and breadth of the gridiron.
A self-proclaimed foodie, Gibbs likes to cook for himself from time to time. According to the official Detroit Lions page, his favorite meal is Chicken Alfredo.
Beyond cooking, he is a huge fan of the movies, unable to choose a favorite one in lieu of his extensive knowledge from watching a gigantic number of them.
However, where sports are concerned, Gibbs is a true fan of combat, and the UFC in particular. He has repeatedly stated his love for Jon Jones, who he claims is his favorite athlete and the person he’d like the most to meet.
But, his love for the combat arena goes well beyond just fan-following. The RB believes that he would have built a career in the UFC if he had not followed his childhood passion and ingrained love for football he got from the Ross’.
Why Is Gibbs Called Sonic and Jah?
In case you haven’t caught the most-watched team in the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions thrive with the one-two punch of Gibbs and David Montgomery at the running back spot.
Their dynamic style has become a sight to behold for the No. 1 ranked offense in the league, according to PFN’s Offense+ metric. But it has also made them fan favorites who are more commonly referred to as the legendary speedster duo, Sonic & Knuckles.
Deriving from the ever-popular Sonic the Hedgehog series, Sonic used his speed and quickness whereas Knuckles relies on brute force and power.
Gibbs is more known for his agility, speed, and dual-threat capability as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield, whereas Montgomery is known more for his downhill running style and power-rushing prowess.
The situation became so popular that CBS even filmed a commercial of the two with the Sonic the Hedgehog team.
Having Sonic and Knuckles on your team isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 😆 pic.twitter.com/Vz2lVvUPNJ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 26, 2024
The Jah nickname, a shortened version of his name, has been around since he first moved into the Ross household. While the exact origins are unknown but the Lions roster page still lists it as his nickname.
But beyond the laughs, Gibbs has become one of the most dependable offensive weapons in the entire league. In Week 18, he broke the Lions’ franchise record for most touchdowns in a season with 20 total touchdowns.
He ran for 1,412 yards on just 250 carries while being targeted 52 times as a receiver for over 500 yards there as well.
