The Detroit Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has since emerged as a franchise cornerstone and one of the best running backs in the NFL.
However, Gibbs’ journey to the league wasn’t easy. The support of both his biological and adoptive families helped him turn his NFL dream into reality. Here’s everything you need to know about Jahmyr’s upbringing.
Who Are Jahmyr Gibbs’ Mom and Dad?
Gibbs was born to Neka Willis, his biological mother. He faced several early-life struggles and, at one point, stayed in a shelter with his grandmother, Angela Willis.
Angela raised Jahmyr and was his legal guardian. While they were staying at the shelter, which was in conjunction with the Family Promise program that provides resources to struggling families, they became close with a female volunteer named Dusty Ross.
As a sophomore in high school, Gibbs spent a year living with senior quarterback J.P. Tighe and his family. After his senior teammate left for college, Gibbs needed a new home.
At this point, Dusty and her husband Greg opened their doors to Gibbs. They had gotten to know him at the shelter and decided to welcome him to their family.
The Ross family officially adopted him, and from then on, they played a major role in Gibbs’ development as a person and an athlete.
While Gibbs lived with the Ross family, his grandmother remained a consistent presence in his life and continued to support him.
Get To Know Gibbs’ Family
Gibbs became part of a larger family when Greg and Dusty adopted him. Greg and Dusty are the proud parents of four sons — Max, John, Ahmaad Tanner, and Jahmyr. Ahmaad Tanner also played football for Austin Peay State University.
Gibbs’ biological mother has remained in the background of his life. However, she, too, contributed to his journey.
His adoptive parents, Dusty and Greg, provided the stable, nurturing environment he needed to grow, and Gibbs’ grandmother has also been a strong influence. Although she no longer raises him, she continues to offer guidance.
Dusty, in particular, is active on social media, frequently expressing her pride and support for Gibbs and his brothers.
Gibbs’ adoptive mother was in disbelief when Georgia Tech running backs coach Tashard 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.”
It’s worth noting that Jahmyr has some athletic genes, as his mom and grandmother were track stars and his great uncle David “Bo” Willis played football in the 1970s.
Gibbs’ story is one of perseverance. Now, as an NFL superstar whose wildest dreams have come true, he is certainly making his many family members proud.