Welcome to "Catching Up With ..." an occasional AnnArbor.com feature where we chat with someone who used to be involved with Michigan athletics.

Former Michigan linebacker Dhani Jones warms up the Mock Rock crowd Wednesday night at Hill Auditorium.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Dhani Jones turns 33 next week and figured some time in his old college stomping grounds might be the perfect way to celebrate.

It took only a few minutes at Scorekeepers Tuesday night to blow that theory out of the water.

Jones told a sold out Mock Rock crowd Wednesday night that the first three people he met were toddlers when his football career was blossoming.

"Happy birthday to me," Jones said. "Thank you, Michigan."

But returning to emcee the annual variety show involving Michigan student-athletes was just part of his desire to give back to Ann Arbor. New Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said Jones is "truly what a student-athlete exemplifies," praising the way the 11-year NFL veteran thinks outside the box and the way he keeps everything together.

Building a bridge between the past and present is one of the topics the former Michigan linebacker who has traveled the globe with his own show touched on during a chat prior to Wednesday night's event.

Q: Why was it important for you to come back to Ann Arbor?

A: I mean, this is where it all started. It's been a keystone in my life. There's a significant change one makes when they get to college and Michigan allows you to do whatever you want to do in life and do the right things.

Q: You got a chance to speak to the football team Tuesday night, what message did you try to convey to them?

A: The message is that time is not timeless, time is finite and throughout your life there will be certain points where you will change. Those changes are earmarked by choices, challenges and chances. It's how you deal with those choices, challenges and chances that will affect the outcome of your life.

Q: As a former player, do you think you can impact the players that are part of Michigan's program now?

A: One of the things I am concentrating on and working toward is player development. I think there's a lot of kids that come into school and they get their education, they are able to accelerate in their sport and they're able to develop as people. But I think there is something beyond that and I think there's something that goes past that and I think Michigan is doing a great job in accelerating that program and helping people find their passions outside of their respective sport. But I think there's more we can do and if I can be a catalyst to help that, I would love to do it.

Q: You've started a bow tie business, Bow Ties For A Cause, that attempts to help people who need it. How has that been?

A: The tie business is good -- although it's not really a business. It's a service that works with other people to help them raise money to help them be a catalyst, if you will, a catalytic philanthropist. I think that's the most important thing.

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by e-mail at jeffarnold@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyparnold.