Nice Guy Jacobs Proves Great Show Guest

He spent only one year at Southern Illinois University, but it was long enough to make a big impact on the school and the communities in and around Carbondale.

“I had a good time here and the people of southern Illinois opened up to me – the whole community; I appreciate that," he said. "Southern Illinois will always be in my heart.”

Despite playing at the non-BCS level, Brandon Jacobs was no secret to NFL scouts, especially not those representing the New York Giants. Jacobs was drafted after a stellar year at SIU and helped New York win a Super Bowl in 2007-08.

Over the weekend, he was back in his old stomping grounds, signing autographs at Fox Sports Cards in Marion, IL. He also spoke at a pair of Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquets. Dozens had waited in the rain to get something signed when Jacobs arrived about 7:30 Saturday night.

What drew the big bruiser to the town of a few thousand? The chance to make his autograph appearance money go for a good cause, according to this story in the Daily Egyptian.