Lions' Marvin Jones helping to fund sister's Olympic run
Marvin Jones signed a five-year, $40-million contract with the Detroit Lions this offseason, and is now paying it forward by helping to fund his sister's Olympic dream.
The wide receiver has been covering his sister's training and living expenses this year as she prepares for the Olympic trials in July. The hope from both of them is that she'll be able to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
"It motivated me even more," Vanessa Jones, a former track standout at USC, told ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "I was just being patient and was praying about it, and then Marvin came with his idea and it was like, 'Oh, it worked out.' I didn't know if I wanted to stay at USC or find a coach.
"He literally took everything in his hands and talked to the recruiting person. He called me and told me to go online and fill out all the paperwork and we're going to get you in. Then it all happened. I was thankful and blessed to have a brother that believes in me as much as I do in myself. It's amazing."
Vanessa has been working out at Altis, an elite training facility in Phoenix. Her training costs around $3,750, while her living expenses come in at $1,000 per month.
"I didn't think twice about it," Marvin said.