In his NFL career, Adam “Pacman” Jones has been known more for his off-the-field troubles than his on-field production. And that, in the NFL’s eyes, makes him ideal to speak to rookies who are preparing to start their professional football career.
On the Cincinnati Bengals’ website, the Atlanta-bred cornerback announced that the NFL has asked him to be part of a panel discussion at the rookie symposium, which will be held June 24-30 in Ohi0. Jones has agreed to participate.
He gave a preview of what he will say to the newcomers on the website: “The message is, this is not a joke. At the end of the day you have to treat it like a business. And you’re a business owner, and every decision you make is a reflection of you.”
Jones, 28, has played five years in the NFL and will enter his third season with the Bengals. The sixth overall pick of the Titans in 2005, Jones started 28 games in his first two seasons with Tennessee, but repeated arrests scuttled his career.
He missed the entire 2007 season because of the first of two suspensions issued by the league for his role in a Las Vegas strip club shooting that left a club employee paralyzed. He was sentenced to one year of probation in February 2011 in that case. Jones pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, after agreeing to testify against the accused shooter.
The Titans traded Jones to Dallas before the 2008 draft. An alcohol-related altercation with a bodyguard whom the Cowboys provided cost Jones another six-game suspension.
“What you do on the field, what you do off the field, it’s all a reflection of you,” Jones added. “Going to the club here, going to the club there. Having 100 people with you. Checking your advisers, your accountants. Just basic stuff.”
In January, Jones pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. He was accused in court documents of being disorderly, shouting profanities and trying to pull away as police officers arrested him at a Cincinnati bar in July 2011. He apologized in court for his conduct. A second misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest was dismissed in a plea agreement with prosecutors. He may still face discipline from the league.
