FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Jaylon Smith, a graduate of Bishop Luers High School and linebacker for the NFL’s New York Giants, was in Summit City on Friday for a pop-up shop for his new clothing brand The Cycle.

The clothing line is one of Smith’s latest projects that he started with childhood friend Aaliyah Gaines. The two grew up together on the south side of Fort Wayne.

“We grew up here in the south end of the city, Village Woods, we used to walk together to elementary school,” Smith said. “She’s very creative, she’s very artistic.”

With their new brand, they have fused their passion for art to create clothing with substance and quality. Smith told WANE 15’s Briana Brownlee that the purpose of the cycle is to unite mind and body through art and fashion.

“A lot of this product line that we’re launching here today, our whole message is ‘life is a cycle’, which is why the brand is called The Cycle,” Smith said. “Any kind of experience you’re going to have, someone has had it in some way. It’s history repeating itself. The more we can understand that life is a cycle, the better we can navigate there.

When it comes to experiencing different curveballs life can throw at a person, Smith has had his fair share. During his final season with Norte Dame, the standout linebacker suffered a career-threatening knee injury in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl game against Ohio State. The timing couldn’t be worse as he entered the NFL Draft.

Smith was a potential top-five prospect, but the Dallas Cowboys picked him as the 34th overall pick. After recovering from his injury, Smith spent five seasons with the Cowboys. During the 2021 mid-season roster cuts, a shocking turn of events occurred when Smith was kicked out of the franchise. He was then picked up by the Green Bay Packers, but after four games he was released. The New York Giants signed him later and he is still active on their roster.

“For us as human beings, it is important that we remain humble. It’s important that we do what can sometimes be difficult and look in the mirror,” Smith said. “For me, it’s about creating a vision. Everything I’ve been through has made me a better man today. This year, last season was an incredible race. I was able to experience so many different things, from vulnerability to adversity. Whenever you encounter adversity, it’s an opportunity to persevere.

Smith added that the 2021 season was the first time he really got to experience the business and political side of the National Football League. He said the experience is what helped him grow and is tied to The Cycle brand.

His clothing line represents the cycle he has gone through over the past few years, combining all the positivity and negativity that can arise in life. He added that the Cycle is a representation of the four elements of life which are fire, water, earth and air.

“We all resonate with these four elements in one form or another,” Smith said. “For us, it was about bringing that artistic characteristic and understanding that we can have artistry and substance.”

Both Smith and Gaines were at Laced Midwest in Glenbrook Square to showcase their global brand. The community was able to take a look at some of the items, take photos with Smith and receive autographs. The two said their love for the Fort Wayne community helped them make The Cycle a success.

“[Jaylon] came up to me and said he wanted to do something for the city, so he came up with The Cycle,” Gaines said. “[The community] pours into us and we want to pour into them. Throughout the year you will see different events and different ways we plan to give back and give back to our community through this brand.

Gaines described the brand as something different and something that has never been done before. She hopes the small town community can be inspired by the art she creates.

Smith said the future is looking bright and for the next NFL season, he’s excited to get back to playing the game he loved.