Posted Jan. 28, 2015 by KTVU.
By Amber Lee
AN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) — Oakland Raider James Jones has won a Super Bowl, but what makes the wide receiver stand out is how he gives back to the San Jose community that once helped him when he and his mother struggled with homelessness.
Since Jones signed with the Raiders last March, he has paid several visits to Family Supportive Housing, a shelter in San Jose that housed him when he was growing up.
Visiting the shelter for families is like coming home for Jones.
“When I was growing up, I was in and out of shelters for 15 years,” explained Jones.
At the shelter, he spoke with a man who recently lost his job and a place to live.
“Been in the same situation. Everything is temporary,” Jones told the homeless father.
Being at a homeless shelter was actually comforting for Jones while growing up, because he says it meant stability for a while.
“There were times where me and my mom slept on a park bench. At times, we were in and out of motels. That was probably the hardest time,” said Jones.
Jones credits determination and hard work first at Gunderson High School and later at San Jose State for helping him succeed.