Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs was recently mentioned by former Alabama Crimson Tide teammate and current Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Traeshon Holden.

Holden shared an Instagram story on his personal account, which showed an awkward moment that Gibbs had at Alabama.

The video shared by Holden featured a clip from when Alabama had faced Auburn in 2022, in which Holden was seen celebrating a touchdown. However, during the celebration, Holden left Gibbs hanging on a handshake. With no one returning the gesture, Gibbs improvised before jogging away, creating a hilarious and awkward moment.

The clip caught Gibbs’ attention and he reshared on his Instagram story on June 28.

“Guys left me hangin n shi had to improvise," read the caption of the Instagram story.

This interaction showcases the camaraderie that the players from that Alabama team had with each other. It was this same chemistry that helped them to an 11-2 record that season. Alabama's postseason journey in the 2022 season ended with a 45-20 Sugar Bowl triumph over Kansas State on Dec. 31, 2022.

Holden was at Alabama for three years, where he played 25 games, caught 46 passes for 570 yards, and recorded seven touchdowns. He then transferred to the Oregon Ducks for two more years, where he had 83 receptions for 1,170 yards and 11 touchdowns.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, he is currently signed to a two-year, $1.9 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

Meanwhile, Gibbs, after transferring from Georgia Tech in 2022, finished the year with 926 rushing yards and 2132 total yards. He was selected 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has since become one of the best running backs in the NFL and even broke the record for most touchdowns by a player under the age of 24 with 49.

Gibbs is now preparing for the 2026 season but not in the way many expected.

Jahmyr Gibbs training with MMA legend ahead of 2026 season

Gibbs is preparing for the 2026 season with the help of legendary mixed martial arts coach Rafael Cordeiro. Speaking to ESPN's Eric Woodyard, Gibbs revealed the reason for this addition to his offseason routine.

"It helps with body controls. Your base and all that and faster hands," said Gibbs. "I would say with blocking, I get my hands up before they hit me. I feel like my body's gotten in better shape, like physically it looks better."

Gibbs also explained how training in MMA has helped him be more fit and conditioned.

"That conditioning is way different from here because you use nonstop movement in every muscle of your body," said Gibbs. "Out here (in football), you get more breaks and (there is) much more using your legs. But there (in MMA), it's just constant shoulder, knees, elbows, you go to the ground and all that so out here I barely get tired."

Cordeiro is a legendary coach who has worked boxing legend Mike Tyson and MMA legends such as Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, and Cris Cyborg. He talked to Woodyard about how Gibbs has improved after more than 20 hours with him.

Gibbs ranks third in the NFL with 3,768 yards from scrimmage since the start of the 2024 season despite sharing touches with David Montgomery. Now, with Gibbs getting more touches, anything he can do to improve his focus and physicality will only be a positive for the Lions.

How do you think Gibbs will perform in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar