National Football League

Young Giants fan sends money to Jacobs to stay

Published Jun. 8, 2012 1:06 a.m. ET

foxsports

New 49ers running back Brandon Jacobs received a letter this week from a 6-year-old Giants fan named Joseph that included $3.36 in cash from the boy's piggy bank - the child's contribution to try to keep Jacobs in New York with the reigning Super Bowl champions.

The letter reads:

''Dear Brandon Jacobs,

So you could go to the Giants, here is my money.

Love, Joe.''

The boy's mother, Julie Armento, wrote that she explained to her son that the Giants didn't have enough money to bring Jacobs back on a new contract, thus prompting her son's adorable gesture.

Jacobs said Thursday he will connect with Joe when he's back in New Jersey. The 49ers play the Jets on Sept. 30, but Jacobs might set up a meeting well before then.

''I got the letter a couple of days ago and it meant a whole lot to me,'' Jacobs said. ''That's a special thing, and I wish every athlete could get that feeling. That definitely meant a lot for him to do that and put that concept together for one of his favorite players on one of his favorite teams. It meant a lot to me and gave me a lot of motivation.''

Jacobs posted a picture of the letter and the money in a sandwich bag on his Twitter account, (at)gatorboy45 and asked his followers for their thoughts.

''The kid thought the giants didn't have enough money to bring me back, so he sent me 3.36 cent to come back it was the best ever,'' Jacobs tweeted Tuesday.

Jacobs was released March 9 by the Giants after both sides failed to work out a restructured contract. He is expected to play behind Frank Gore and compete with second-year pro Kendall Hunter for carries with the NFC West champion 49ers.

Jacobs spent seven seasons with New York, winning two Super Bowls and helping the Giants beat the 49ers 20-17 in overtime of the NFC championship game at Candlestick Park on Jan. 22. The 29-year-old Jacobs ran for 571 yards and seven touchdowns last season as his role diminished behind the emerging Ahmad Bradshaw.

''I want to do good and go out there and do the best I can for little Joe,'' Jacobs said. ''After thinking about it since it happened, I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life. When I go back to Jersey, we are going to have some fun together.''