October 17. JD Gibbs. JD was the oldest son of a famous man—Joe Gibbs, long-time coach of the NFL’s Washington Redskins.
JD laughed about the fact that as he was growing up, he rarely saw his dad unless it was on a football field or a racetrack. But as soon as the first grandchild came along—like magic—dad was finding reasons to visit every day.
When Joe left football, he and JD founded the Joe Gibbs NASCAR Racing team, and JD became the President. They started with seventeen employees and one racecar. As of 2019, there were 500 employees. Employees still talk about JD’s consistent positive attitude.
Honor others above yourselves, and watch the adventure unfold.
At the college of William & Mary, JD—popular and successful—believed that God was real, the Bible was true, and Jesus’s life and resurrection made JD’s life worth living.
Even in the dorm, where tempers, testosterone, and too much togetherness can get on a guy’s nerves, most of the guys got along, laughed, and hung out often.
But one guy on JD’s floor could get loud and obnoxious. He didn’t mean to, but his mere presence annoyed people. Some of the guys on the floor ignored this loud guy who stood out. If the dorm were a foot, this guy was a big toe that had been stomped.
But he had one thing in common with JD. He loved the Washington Redskins. Fanatically.
One day, JD’s dad, Joe Gibbs, the head coach of the Washington Redskins, came to the dorm to take his son out for lunch. Joe told JD he could ask a friend to come to lunch with them if he wanted.
Most young men would naturally think of their best buddy to invite. Others might think of a girl they wanted to impress. But not JD. He made his decision quickly. After more conversation in his dorm room, JD and Joe strode out into the dorm hall to make their way down to the parking lot.
The annoying guy was standing in the hall talking to the RA, with his back to JD and Joe. JD tapped him on the shoulder.
When the young man turned around, he stood face-to-face with his hero, Coach Joe Gibbs, owner of three Super Bowl victory rings, including the last Super Bowl in which the Redskins beat the Buffalo Bills thirty-seven to twenty-four.
JD asked, “Do you want to have lunch with me and my dad?”
For a minute, the young man didn’t even speak. But the excitement on his face said yes, yes, yes!
He finally whispered right out loud, “Yes.” And after a few seconds of silence, the young man began to pelt Joe Sr. with questions and loud praise.
JD chose to show this college dorm-mate kindness, without hidden motives. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone, and he wouldn’t earn any status points for taking him to lunch. JD knew this lunch would make this guy extremely happy. After that lunch, the two became friends.
Even though JD died at the early age of forty-nine, his short life displayed consistent love for God and others. He put others above himself no matter if he enjoyed their company or not.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another about yourselves” (Romans 12:10 NIV).
Need some adventure in your life? Honor others above yourselves and watch the adventure unfold.
Game Plan for Life. “Average Joe: JD Gibbs.” February 24, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=YTXakdjdVk8&feature=youtu.be
Clarke, Liz. “J.D. Gibbs, son of Joe Gibbs and former NASCAR team president, dies at 49.” Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post, January 12, 2019. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/jd-gibbs-son-of-joe-gibbs-and-former-nascar-team-president-dies-at-49/2019/01/12/330283b2–1670–11e9–90a8–136fa44b80ba_story.html
Story read by: Nathan Walker
Introduction read by: Daniel Carpenter
Audio production: Joel Carpenter
Editor: Teresa Crumpton, https://authorspark.org/
Project manager: Blake Mattocks
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