Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson made a huge impact on the field last season after rushing for 1,070 yards (fifth in the NFL) as an undrafted rookie. However, this week he proved that he clearly doesn’t want his impact to stop on the field by helping out a Jacksonville family affected by cancer.
Last season, Robinson expressed that the world’s battle against cancer was one near and dear to his heart by wearing American Cancer Society cleats for the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats'” program. This week, with the help of Academy Sports, he continued to help those who’ve had to battle cancer by taking out the Jiles family on a $1,000 shopping spree.
The second-year running back told News4Jax that the kind gesture came just after he visited a friend with cancer, and just as that visit did, his time with the Jiles family gave him a heartwarming feeling.
“I actually got back from home this week from visiting my family friend that has breast cancer. It was great seeing them and seeing this family is going to be good,” said Robinson.
The mother of the family, Tricshone Jiles, has proven she can overcome a great deal of adversity as a two-time cancer survivor. With that being the case, Robinson wanted to take some time out of his week to meet and shop with the family, who now views him as their favorite Jaguar.
“I was speechless. I was so excited that he even thought of supporting a breast cancer survivor,” Jiles told News4Jax. “We go through a lot. It just means a lot that people like him are out there that look to just make you feel better.”
Not only did Robinson spend time with Tricshone, but he also spent a great deal of time with her youngest child, Jaden, who will be attending football camp at TIAA Bank Field this upcoming weekend. To get the young Jags fan ready for the field, Robinson helped him pick out some cleats and more to take the field with.
Additionally, Robinson donated $1,000 to The American Cancer Society to directly benefit Hope Lodge’s Fitness Center in Jacksonville, which provides cancer patients with a free place to stay in the 904 area. With that contribution, the center was able to purchase new fitness equipment for the facility.