Jahmyr Gibbs, raised by his grandmother Angela Willis since age 13, found support and a new home with the adoptive parents Dusty Ross and Greg Ross after years of challenges.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs comes from a family of athletes, so it’s no surprise he got into sports.
Highlights
- Jahmyr Gibbs’s grandmother, Angela Willis, raised him single-handedly since he was 13.
- In 2010, Angela Willis and Jahmyr Gibbs dwelt in the local shelter, where they met Dusty Ross.
- In 2017, Gibbs moved in with the Ross family- Dusty and Greg Ross, bringing everything full circle for him and the Rosses.
His great-uncle, David “Bo” Willis, played football for the Catamounts in the 1970s, and both his mom and grandmother ran track at Dalton.
His mom, Neka Willis, was also the first African American woman to play fast-pitch softball at Dalton.
Gibbs is also related to former Northwest Whitfield football player Isaiah Mack, and he has several cousins who have played football at Harmon Field.
Jahmyr Gibbs’s Grandmother, Angela Willis, Chose The Role Of Both Mom And Dad To Raise Him
Since he was 13, Gibbs was raised by his grandmother, Angela Willis, his legal guardian.
Despite facing tough times, Angela has always believed there was a bigger purpose for her grandson.
Got to enjoy today with my babies minus Ahmaad. pic.twitter.com/EtxhsRJ40A
— Dusty Ross (@dustyjross) May 8, 2022
In 2010, Willis and Gibbs found themselves at a local shelter supported by a Family Promise program.
The program helped them with food, clothing, and a safe place to stay for several weeks.
At that time, Dusty Ross, mother of Dalton defensive end John Ross, was volunteering at the shelter, unaware of how much the experience would later impact her family.
There, Dusty and her son John met Jahmyr, and even now, John and Jahmyr fondly remember the times they played with Matchbox cars together.
They lost touch over the next few years, but their paths would cross again later in Gibbs’ life.
Jahmyr Gibbs Moves In With The Ross Family With Adoptive Father Greg And Dusty Ross
In the 2017 season, J.P. Tighe was a senior quarterback at Dalton, and Gibbs was a sophomore running back.
They formed a strong bond during preseason workouts, and as the season progressed, Gibbs started spending more time at Tighe’s house.
23 years ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lof2pJSVj0
— Dusty Ross (@dustyjross) June 26, 2022
After a few nights, Tighe asked him if he wanted to stay permanently.
Tighe tried to understand Gibbs’ situation before he moved in with them.
He believed Gibbs would stay a few nights at one house and with his grandmother.
If he hadn’t stayed with the Tighes, he likely would have continued moving from house to house.
Tighe graduated from Dalton in the spring and moved to Statesboro to play baseball at Georgia Southern University.
Meanwhile, Gibbs moved in with the Ross family- Dusty and Greg Ross, bringing everything full circle for him and the Rosses.
Having a stable home was never guaranteed for Gibbs. His grandmother, Angela Willis, often said that playing parental roles was difficult for her.
Gibbs still lives with the Ross family, but his grandmother, Angela Willis, remains very involved.
She works closely with the Ross family and Gibbs’ coaches and teachers at Dalton to help him succeed in sports and school.
Additional Information
- Gibbs grew up in Dalton, Georgia, and attended Dalton High School. As a sophomore, he rushed for 897 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
- He was named the Georgia 6-A Offensive Player of the Year for 2020 and a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated.
- Initially rated as a three-star recruit, Gibbs committed to play for Georgia Tech at the end of his junior year, choosing them over offers from schools like Michigan, Texas A&M, and North Carolina.
