Brandon Jacobs repays the kid who sent him $3.36 with a day out.

Written by  //  June 20, 2012  //  NFL  //  20 Comments

San Francisco running back Brandon Jacobs has been called a lot of things. Now he can be called a genuinely good guy.

You may recall the story of six-year-old Joseph Armento, a New York Giants fan that was so upset that Jacobs left in free agency to the 49ers that he asked him mom to mail him his last $3.36 in hopes of keeping his favorite player with the Giants.

There is no word of whether or not it would have counted against the cap had it worked, but Jacobs did the right thing today.

He took Armento and his brother to the Jump On In bounce house in New Jersey today now that Jacobs is back on the east coast to gather some belongings.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Jacobs gave the boys along with his own son a day out but he also repaid his debt to Joseph with interest in the form of a $5 dollar bill and a signed Giants helmet.

“He had some interest in there just for being a good kid,” Jacobs said. “He’s worth a lot more than that $5 bill I gave him.”

As much as Jacobs has meant to the child as a player, the child has meant more to Jacobs as a person.

“I’m at a point in my career when people have stopped believing in me and not believing that I can still play. But that’s not the case. Joe believes in me, gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of want-to. And I’m ready to go. I can’t wait until the season starts.”

After receiving the initial letter, Jacobs reached out to Joseph’s mom Julie to set something up so that he could do something special for his biggest fan.

“When we first spoke, he said that he was genuinely touched by the letter, that it almost brought him to tears,” Julie said. “He said it came at just the right time for him.”

“He told me he really wanted to get out there with the kids,” she said. “He really wanted to enjoy it, and he did. It was amazing.”

According to Jacobs it was indeed a good time.

“It was just us in the whole place and we were just going room to room – just bouncing and flipping all over the place, hitting each other with balls, sweating, our shirts filthy. We were just dirty, stinky boys, you know?”

Who will Joseph root for when the Giants and the 49ers square-off?

About the Author

Adrian Glover is Players View's Editor-In-Chief. He has spent his days as a newspaper columnist,magazine editor, freelance writer and as somebody's father. ;) Follow him on Twitter at @playersview.

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  • Chacne

    Great story, Classier move!

  • Van

    Brandon, You have helped restore my faith that not all sports figures are greedy,spoiled and pamper human beings!!!

  • Vinny Anderson

    I sat next to Brandon Jacobs the day after he ran over the DB for the Redskins at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. I can say I wasn’t all over him and respected his space. I congratulated him on a great game and he said “thanks”. He genuinely seems like a good guy and I am also sorry he left the Giants. I wish him well.

  • Pebblez Anderson

    What an AWESOME story! I hope that Brandon will always keep that letter close to heart. I know little Joe will never forget!

  • O. Knee

    Even with a family, Jacobs finds time make a difference. Good job Brandon. Hey single male athletes take notice and put it time to good use. It’s not all about chasing tail and living large. Hey Brandon I’ll take u as my fill in for FF Lol.

  • Greg

    As a fellow former Saluki, I think that this does show that Jacobs has a heart. This does help to restore my faith in some of those pro-athletes. I know that not all would have gone out of their way, but I am grateful to be associated (SIU-Carbondale) with this classy and selfless act. Great way to start of the day…and hopefully the season for the big guy.

  • O’doyle Rules!!!

    This is what being and understanding what the human condition is about. This was a class act by a excellent man. Too many sports “heroes” carry egos that are less desireable and quite arrogant. Thank Mr. Jacobs..very well done.

  • Melissa Merriweather

    It goes to show that children are little adults with the capacity to heal the world. Joseph Armento placed a healing bandaid on a neglected wound: Brand Jacobs.

    Joseph, you are a wonderful human being.

    Melissa

  • Coltsangel

    God bless Brnadon for the heart of Christ and bless little Joseph with wisdonm,knowledge,and understanding at a young age, and all the days of his life.

  • Jerry

    The fact that no pictures, media reports, or news articles were published from this outing Brandon Jacobs had with his son and the two Armento boys, says a lot about the man and his heart. It sounds like it was the real deal, from a man who just happens to make a living playing pro sports. Great story and this St. Louis Ram fan is also now a Brandon Jacobs fan.

  • http://yardbarker.com chuck pratt

    brandon you r one of the top best, god bless you and best of luck !

  • BigBlue

    Brandin Jacobs definitely left his mark on the Giants and their fans. He always gave 100% on the field and conducted himself well off the field. I enjoyed watching him play for years; but after reading this story I will miss him not only as a player but more importantly as one of the few “good guys” in sports. I wish him much success in San Francisco.

  • Randy

    I dont know who the bigger man is in this story. As a Cowboy fan, I wish all ‘em ‘boys were as classy as Mr Jacobs. A job well done. you have gained much respect. that is worth much more than money.

  • Lizzie

    WHAT CLASS ACT INDEED!! PRAY BRANDON JACBOS has a
    STELLAR SEASON & day-to-day period!!

  • http://hotmail 49erfan

    Nice going guys. both of you are class acts, especially the little boy…thank god people like you get heard from….love ya both

  • The Dude

    Classy guy and classy move.

  • Bob Tingle

    I am a lifelong, diehard Raiders fan. I wish Brandon Jacobs was wearing the Silver and Black. Brandon Jacobs is magnificent !! Thank you Brandon for being a fine role model and a genuinely good person. God Bless You and Yours.

    Bob Tingle
    Westerly, RI

  • Bill Punzio

    It has come to the point that a genuinely good guy stands out for simply being what God wanted from him. I suppose that there are a few out there who look at this act as phoney. Screw them and lets look at what Brandon and this little boy bring to a world so full of greed and self centered actions. Hey, Barry did you read this article?

  • 9erFaninAZ

    Great story and greater human beings (both Mr. Armento & Mr. Jacobs)! As a Niner Fan, I know Joey would prefer that Brandon was still a Giant I am glad we have this Giant heart in San Francisco. Hope we see the Giants in the NFC playoffs again for Joey’s sake.

  • ken scally

    Well done Brandon!!! Good luck this season!!

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