Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs said Wednesday that the months since his May arrest were “probably one of the best things that ever happened to me,” because they forced him to reevaluate his life.
Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property from a domestic incident in May. He missed the first six games on the commissioner’s exempt list and returned to practice Wednesday.
He apologized to the team in the spring, according to packers.com. The NFL’s review under its personal conduct policy is still open, and Wisconsin Sports Heroics has followed the league’s investigation since the summer.
Josh Jacobs apologized for “the attention that is brought to this team”
Teammates bring their own problems to Jacobs, and that shaped what he told them.
“Yeah, I mean, I was just apologizing to the guys, like, because I know a lot of guys look up to me, a lot of guys come to me about real life issues and things that go on in their lives, and so for me being that guy for a lot of people, it’s weird when you take that fall,” Jacobs said.
“And for me, it’s just trying to show everybody I’m not better than the next person. I still deal with my own personal things,” Jacobs continued.
The point of the meeting was the burden on the rest of the roster.
“But really the main story was for me when we had that meeting was me being apologetic for the attention that is brought to this team, having the guys have to answer or watch what they say when it comes to that. And so that’s just something I had to take accountability for,” Jacobs added.
Jacobs was a Packers captain the previous two seasons, according to Packers On SI.
Josh Jacobs: “one of the best things that ever happened to me”
The time away gave him room to ask what he wants to be known for.
“Obviously, you never want to be in this situation. But just me being honest, for my life, it was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Jacobs said. “And I say that because it gave me a chance to sit down and reevaluate what’s important and what I want my life to look like.”
“What do I want people to know me for when they think of me? What they going to say?” Jacobs continued.
Support came from places he did not expect.
“And another thing that it showed me, man, it was the people that was in my corner. A lot of people that I didn’t even know or even expect to be in my corner, they showed up, you know, so that was huge for me,” Jacobs added. “It just gave me more appreciation and more love, honestly, for this organization and for this team.”
Josh Jacobs thanked the organization first
Jacobs opened Wednesday’s availability by thanking the Packers “for supporting me throughout this whole process.” He said he is “remorseful and sorry for putting this team in this situation.”
The organization has backed him since the charges were filed Aug. 27. Coach Matt LaFleur said the next night that he “fully anticipate[s] him being a member of our team,” The Associated Press reported. LaFleur said Wednesday that he believes in second chances.
The Packers (4-2) play at the Detroit Lions (3-2) at 3:25 p.m. CT Sunday on FOX. Jacobs’ status for the game has not been set.
More Green Bay Packers news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Keisean Nixon warns entire NFL as Packers await Josh Jacobs and Micah Parsons
- Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs will return as the starting running back immediately in Week 7
- Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs files lawsuit against police department amid NFL investigation
- Jordan Love identifies major concern for Packers despite win over Cowboys
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @GrantAfseth and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!