Las Vegas Raiders star Josh Jacobs was playing Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a heavy heart, as his father was rushed to the hospital earlier in the week.
Jacobs had returned home to Tulsa, Oklahoma, when his father, Marty, underwent emergency heart surgery. Jacobs’ 6-year-old son, Braxton, was the one who found Marty and called 911, according to multiple reports. Marty woke up Friday and the NFL running back was back in Las Vegas.
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Josh Jacobs of the Raiders and Eric Bieniemy of the Kansas City Chiefs meet after their game at Allegiant Stadium on January 7, 2023 in Las Vegas.
(Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
«My son and my dad are like best friends, you see one and you see the other,» the running back told reporters after the game. «Man, I’m happy [my son is] smart enough to understand what’s going on in that situation and… my dad said he’s his hero.»
Jacobs wrote the word «POPS» on his black eye for the game at Allegiant Stadium. He said that he was not going to play again but his father insisted. He said that he had about four hours of sleep.
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Josh Jacobs of the Raiders carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 7, 2023 in Las Vegas.
(Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
«I wasn’t going back, for me, family always before anything else,» Jacobs said. «Especially the severity of what was happening, what is currently happening. But my dad had woken up and he told me that he wanted me to play, that’s why I’m here.»
Jacobs said the love and support he received from his teammates and the Raiders organization made the decision to return that much easier.
«That’s what made coming back good,» Jacobs said. «The whole team, even the people at the top who don’t really work with me every day. I definitely got that love and that support… They all supported me and they knew it wasn’t really about football, so I appreciate them.» That’s the love they have for me and I have the same kind of love for them.»
Josh Jacobs wrote the word «POPS» on his black eye for the game at Allegiant Stadium on January 7, 2023 in Las Vegas.
(Chris Unger/Getty Images)
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Jacobs had 45 yards on 17 carries as the Raiders lost to the Chiefs 31-13. He finished his fourth season with the Raiders with 1,653 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Associated Press contributed to this report.