'Proud of what he's become': Packers WR Romeo Doubs heads back to his hometown for matchup against Rams

 

LOS ANGELES (CBS 58) -- When the Packers face the Rams in Los Angeles this weekend, they'll be playing at Sofi Stadium. Packers wide receiver, Romeo Doubs, went to high school just six miles from the stadium, but in many ways, it was a world away. Those who knew him then, said he set an example for students to come.

"It was a renaissance of this historic program," said former Thomas Jefferson High School principal, Agustine Gonzalez.

The lights standing over the Jefferson Democrats football stadium spotlighted a new era for the team.

"I saw him as the centerpiece to showcase football," Gonzalez said.

The lights were installed in 2015, about the same time Romeo Doubs hit the field there.

"And it was this 10th grader that was just all over the place," Gonzalez said.

All over the place but going somewhere. On and off the field.

"I said Romeo, you have almost straight A's! And you're in AP classes," recalled administrator, Marisol Delahoussaye.

Delahoussaye remembers Doubs as a quiet kid, with focus.

"And then I asked him, do you play a sport? he's like, yeah, I play football, and I said we are going to get you into college. These grades are amazing," she said.

Yearbook photos and even video clips from the time show a kid having fun.

But his early success made him a role model.

"We used him to actually market at the local middle schools, junior highs to be able to bring back kids and play football here," Gonzalez said.

Thomas Jefferson High School is in south central Los Angeles, and enrollment was declining.

"Our students are going through a lot of challenges. There were a lot of gangs, especially during freshman and sophomore years," said Delahoussaye.

Doubs set an example. A big responsibility on his shoulders.

"Did I know he was going to be a starting wide receiver, we didn't know at the time because he was probably about a buck 25 soaking wet in his pants, so, but we're very proud of what he's become," said Gonzalez.

"And that's when I started buying peanut butter and jelly and bread and left it in my office nd I said whenever you come in here, you can eat. Because I can't have you going to college and getting hurt,' Delahoussaye added.

From a small field to the big stage-- those who knew him then are still cheering him on.

"Remeber who you are. You're Romeo Doubs, you're a helluva player. And one day you're going to make it huge," said school aide Angel Luviano.

"And he's wearing the Demo colors, still. He's wearing the green and gold of Jefferson for the Green Bay Packers," said Gonzalez.

According to the Green Bay Packers, Doubs is listed as "doubtful" for Sunday's game.