Caitlin Clark may be breaking records on the basketball court, but it’s her latest off-court move that’s winning hearts across the country.

During a recent visit to her old high school in West Des Moines, Iowa, the NCAA superstar made a quiet stop down memory lane. While walking the halls where her basketball journey began, Clark noticed something that stopped her in her tracks—Mr. Harold Jenkins, the longtime school janitor, still pushing his mop and wiping down lockers. He’s 90 years old.

Clark couldn’t believe it.

“Mr. Jenkins was there every morning when I walked in,” she told a local reporter. “He’d always say, ‘Go get ’em, Caitlin.’ He never missed a game. Never asked for anything.”

What she did next stunned the school, the staff, and everyone watching online.

A Humble Man with a Quiet Legacy

Mr. Jenkins has been a fixture at Valley High School for over 60 years. He started the job back in 1962. Since then, he’s cleaned classrooms, swept gym floors, and cheered on generations of students, rarely taking a sick day.

Students remember him not for his age, but for his kindness.

“He’s the kind of guy who’d fix your locker when it jammed and leave a note that said, ‘Have a great day,’” one former student posted on Facebook. “He always had a smile.”

Despite his age, Jenkins never stopped working. When asked why, he gave a simple answer: “I like being useful. And I like being around the kids.”

But after Clark’s visit, everything changed.

Caitlin Clark’s Bold Gesture

The moment Caitlin saw Mr. Jenkins still working, she asked the school principal for a private meeting. A few hours later, she made a phone call to her management team and her family. The next day, she returned—with a plan.

Clark offered to personally fund Mr. Jenkins’ retirement.

Yes, you read that right.

Through a combination of her NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) earnings, brand partnerships, and her own savings, Caitlin Clark created a retirement trust in Mr. Jenkins’ name, giving him the financial freedom to finally rest.

“I just felt like he shouldn’t be pushing a mop at 90,” Clark said. “He gave so much to us. It’s time we give something back.”

The school held a surprise ceremony in the gym. When Clark presented Jenkins with the gift, the humble janitor burst into tears.

“I’ve cleaned this gym for 60 years,” he said, voice trembling. “But this—this is the first time I’ve ever felt seen.”

Social Media Reacts

Within hours, the story went viral.

Clips from the ceremony flooded TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. ESPN picked it up. So did Good Morning America and The Today Show. Celebrities, athletes, and everyday people all chimed in.

“Caitlin Clark just showed the world what it means to be a true role model,” one tweet read.

Others called for a national day in Mr. Jenkins’ honor.

It wasn’t just the money that moved people—it was the gesture. In an era where athletes are often criticized for being disconnected, Caitlin Clark did something profoundly human. She remembered the people who stood by her when the cameras weren’t rolling.

Mr. Jenkins Speaks

In an emotional interview following the ceremony, Mr. Jenkins said he plans to finally rest, travel a bit, and maybe start gardening again.

“But I’ll still stop by the school once in a while,” he smiled. “Just to say hi.”

He called Clark “a blessing.”

“I watched her grow from a little girl with a ball to a woman who never forgot her roots,” he said. “That’s rare these days.”

Caitlin’s Message to Young Fans

Clark later shared a message with her fans during a press conference after her latest game.

“Never forget the people who helped you, even in small ways. Sometimes the person sweeping your court is the one cheering loudest for you.”

She didn’t want the moment to be about her, she said. She wanted it to inspire others.

“Find your Mr. Jenkins,” she told the press. “And thank them while you still can.”

A Legacy Bigger Than Basketball

Caitlin Clark is known for her jaw-dropping three-pointers, her court vision, and her fierce competitive spirit. But in that moment, she reminded the world that greatness isn’t just about points—it’s about people.

Her act of kindness will live on far beyond any record she breaks.

Mr. Jenkins now has the retirement he deserves.

And Caitlin Clark just set a new standard—not only as a basketball star but as a human being who leads with gratitude, compassion, and purpose.