DETROIT – The Cass Technical High School football team was stretching and getting loose before a November practice when a buzz filled the room. It quickly turned to shock, then to wild cheers.
That’s the reaction the team had when Jahmyr Gibbs, the Detroit Lions electrifying all-pro running back, came strolling into practice wearing his Honolulu blue No. 0 jersey to congratulate the young men on their hard work.
Cass, who was – at the time – the defending Division 1 state champion, was in the midst of a state playoff run. It ended with a disappointing 42-19 loss to Detroit Catholic Central on Nov. 30.
“We were really excited, because we nobody expected it,” Marcus Jennings, a senior linebacker, said. “We were just stretching, and he came in and gave us some wise words, just really touching on staying hungry and you can accomplish whatever you want to accomplish.
“And then he gave us some free hats too,” Jennings said. “So, it was really cool and exciting.”
It’s part of Henry Ford Health’s new wellness campaign, “Where in the Health is Jahmyr Gibbs?”
Henry Ford Health said that Gibbs approached them and wanted to make a difference off the field by serving as a brand ambassador.
His teammate, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, did a set of similar videos for Henry Ford last year, while head coach Dan Campbell is the voice for another one of their campaigns.
Over the next few months, Gibbs will pop up across Metro Detroit to surprise people who are making healthy choices in their everyday lives.
Henry Ford’s community health workers will offer resources on things such as heart health, mental health support, stress management, preventive care, and screenings.
Some of his visits will be pre-planned with community partners, while others are completely unannounced. The visit to Cass Tech was arranged by their head coach, Marvin Rushing.
“My volunteer trainer, Christina Jansen from Henry Ford Health Systems, introduced the concept of maybe having one of the Detroit Lions come out to come talk to our kids, to inspire them, but also talk about the importance of maintaining their health,” Rushing said.
“We were talking about the importance of rest, hydration, proper diet from the five food groups, and how that allows you to perform well,” he said. “Particularly being a student athlete and excelling in the classroom, but also maintaining health, to be able to play 14 games.”
Gibbs, 23, is having another phenomenal year with the Lions.
Last Thursday night against Dallas, he scored three more touchdowns, tying Lions’ icon Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns before the age of 24.
He’s become a star in the city, despite not being much older than the players at Cass Tech. For Coach Rushing, Gibbs’ influence is invaluable.
“Our community, particularly men of color, we avoid doctors and such,” Rushing said. “So, we’re trying to preach to them about getting the right care, having the processes in place, to be successful and healthy and continue to live a healthy life well after your playing days, and preach that to everybody else.”