Jahmyr Gibbs grew up in Dalton, Georgia, and today he runs the ball for the Detroit Lions. He began at Dalton High School, then went on to Georgia Tech before transferring to Alabama, where his speed and skill made him one of the top backs in college football.
He entered the NFL in 2023 and wasted no time making an impact. Gibbs earned a Pro Bowl spot as a rookie and set a Detroit franchise record with 20 touchdowns, the highest total in the league that season.
Behind his rise is a family story unlike many of his peers. His biological parents were not a steady presence in his life, leaving his grandmother to raise him through much of his childhood. Later, an adoptive family gave him the stability that carried him forward.
Here’s what to know about Gibbs’s family and his connections with both his biological and adoptive parents.
Meet Jahmyr Gibbs’s Biological Parents, Neka Willis and Tony Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs was born on March 20, 2002, in Dalton, Georgia. His biological parents are Neka Willis and Anthony “Tony” Gibbs Jr.
Neka is originally from Bridgetown, Barbados. She later moved to Dalton, where she also attended Dalton High School, years before her son made his name there. From 2001 to 2004, she studied in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While in high school, she played softball and broke barriers as the first African American to compete in fast-pitch softball for her school. She now lives in Memphis, Tennessee.
His dad, Tony Gibbs, grew up in Columbus, Georgia, and went to Carver High School between 1992 and 1996. After graduation, he chose a military path and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a Sergeant from January 12, 1997, until April 20, 2005.
He Was Raised by His Grandmother
When his parents could no longer look after him, Jahmyr moved in with his grandmother, Angela Willis, who took on the responsibility of raising him by herself.
She eventually became his legal guardian at 13, though she had been the main caregiver long before that. In 2010, when money ran short, the two stayed in a shelter where the nonprofit Family Promise offered them support and a place to get back on their feet.
Angela faced her own difficulties but stayed committed to his well-being. In an interview with the Dalton Daily Citizen, she explained, “I’m his grandma, I’m not his mama or his daddy. Jah came from a broken home, so I always wanted him to be around good people and to know that every home isn’t a broken home.”
Gibbs Was Later Adopted by Dusty and Greg Ross
When his grandmother struggled with money, Jahmyr spent time moving between shelters. One of those was Family Promise, a nonprofit that helps families without housing. While there, he met Dusty and Greg Ross. Dusty was volunteering, and her son John often came along. John and Jahmyr became close friends and played together whenever they met.
Before joining the Ross family, Jahmyr stayed for a short time with Dalton quarterback J.P. Tighe and his family. In 2017, he moved in with Dusty and Greg and soon began calling them mom and dad. John shared his love for football, and later the two went to Georgia Tech together.
The Ross family includes four boys — Max, John, Ahmaad Tanner, and Jahmyr. Ahmaad also played football at Austin Peay State University.
Jahmyr still has a strong bond with both Angela, his grandmother, and the Rosses. They often watch his games together and cheer him on from the stands.
How Is Jahmyr’s Relationship With His Biological Parents
Neka Willis has always shown pride in her son’s success. She is also a mother to two daughters from another relationship.
Both Neka and Tony maintain a cordial relationship with Jahmyr, though he has chosen to keep quiet about them publicly. Still, they have supported him in their own ways. Neka attended the ceremony when he signed his scholarship papers with Georgia Tech.
On social media, both parents often share posts about Jahmyr, expressing how proud they are of him and celebrating his achievements.
