Adam Jones (American football)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Adam Jones


width=252
height=322
caption=Adam Jones on the sideline of a West Virginia University football game in 2007.
currentteam=Dallas Cowboys
currentnumber=21
currentpositionplain=Cornerback / Return specialist
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|9|30
birthplace=Atlanta, Georgia
heightft=5
heightin=10
weight=185
debutyear=2005
debutteam=Tennessee Titans
college=West Virginia
draftyear=2005
draftround=1
draftpick=6
pastteams=
* Tennessee Titans (2005-2006)
* Dallas Cowboys (2008-Present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Second-team All-Big East (2003)
* First-team All-Big East (2004)
* Big East Special Teams Player of the Year (2004)
* PFWA All-Rookie Team (2005)
statweek=4
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=129
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=1.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=4
nfl=JON026865

Adam Bernard Jones, formerly nicknamed "Pacman" (born September 30 1983 in city-state|Atlanta|Georgia) is an American football cornerback and return specialist for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and a retired professional wrestler with the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) promotion. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans sixth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia. Adam Jones won the TNA World Tag Team Championship With Ron Killings and beat the tag team of Sting and Kurt Angle at No Surrender.

Jones was suspended from the NFL for the entire 2007 season for off-the-field conduct [cite news |url=http://www.uslaw.com/pop/just-do-it-again-don-imus-and-pacman-jones/?p=149 |title=Pacman Jones Criminal History |publisher=USLaw.com's Celebrity Justice |date=2008-06-24 |accessdate=2008-06-24] . During his suspension Jones signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), despite an agreement between TNA and the Titans organization that he would only have a "non-physical" role in the company,cite news |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2969037 |title=Titans, Jones agree to modified wrestling restrictions |publisher=ESPN |date=2007-08-11 |accessdate=2007-08-11] He also established a record label, National Street League Records, and performed as one half of the Posterboyz rap duo.

Early years

Jones attended Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Jones was selected as the conference Player of the Year following his senior year after totaling 120 tackles, six interceptions and 1,850 rushing yards. As well, he played in the Georgia-Florida all-star game. Jones also earned All-American honors in basketball and track. His basketball team won two state-championships. Jones' high school totaled the most players in the NFL from one high school in 2005 with six players.cite web |url=http://www.titansonline.com/team/players/bio.php?PRKey=284 |title=Pacman Jones |accessdate=2007-08-13 |publisher=Tennessee Titans Online |work=Player bios ] When Jones was four years old, his father was shot and killed. Jones was raised by his mother, Deborah Jones, and his grandmother, Cristine Jones, for most of his life. When Jones was a freshman at West Virginia, his grandmother died of cancer. Jones missed a game to attend the funeral, the only game he missed in his three-year collegiate career. On the day of the NFL Draft, Jones wore a t-shirt that featured his grandmother's picture.

College career

Jones also was an Athletic Coaching Education major and a member of the Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll. As a freshman in 2002, Jones appeared in 11 games for WVU as a reserve cornerback and safety. He totaled one interception and one forced fumble with 36 tackles. During 2003, he appeared in all 13 games, starting 9 at cornerback, and taking over full-time kick return and punt return duties. Jones' second season resulted in a second team All-Big East Conference selection with his career-high 89 tackles and four interceptions, one being for a touchdown. He also had six tackles for losses, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He also had a career-high 12 broken up passes that season as well. In one of his best games of the year, against Boston College, Jones scored two touchdowns in a 35-28 win over the Eagles, one a 87-yard kick return and the other a 47-yard interception return. Jones also had a career-high 12 tackles against Miami. Jones totaled 98 punt return yards on 16 punt returns and 867 kick return yards, including an 87-yard touchdown return.

As a junior in 2004, he was the defensive secondary captain and led the team in tackles and interceptions. Jones also played briefly on offense, as well as returning punts and kick-offs for the second season. He was named first-team all-Big East as a defensive back and honorable mention All-American by several sources. He led the team with 76 tackles, also adding two sacks, three interceptions, and seven broken up passes. Jones was named to Collegefootballnews.com's All-American first-team and was named honorable mention All-American at kick returner. Jones was also named Big East Special Teams Player of the Year. His 76-yard punt return against East Carolina was his season-long return and only punt return for a touchdown in Jones' career. He even had a long touchdown run against UConn that was called back due to a penalty. Jones ended his career with a bad mark though, in the 2005 Gator Bowl, when he fumbled a kick return early in the game as the Mountaineers lost to Florida State.

Jones is ranked second on West Virginia's school career kickoff return yardage list with 1,475 yards. He is also ranked eleventh on the school's career punt return yardage list with 404 yards, while his 10.92 yards per punt return is the sixth most in school history. Jones is one of the highest players from West Virginia drafted as well, second to Hall of Famer Sam Huff who was drafted third overall. Jones and fellow-Mountaineer great Major Harris also shared the number #9 while playing in college.

Professional career

Tennessee Titans

After his junior year, Jones opted to forgo his senior year and declare eligible for the NFL Draft. He was the first defensive player drafted, taken 6th overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2005 NFL Draft. He then missed most of training camp, holding out in a contract dispute. After Jones had signed the deal with the Titans, he donated money to the 100 Club, a charity that financially supports the families of firefighters, police, and emergency workers. Also in 2005, Jones traveled to Pearl Cohn High School in Nashville, Tennessee to help the school after one of its football players died in a car crash that also injured others on the team. Jones reached out to them during the season, making at least two trips to visit the team for encouragement. Additionally, Jones donated money so Nashville firefighters and police officers could get new uniforms.

During his rookie season he had a total of 44 tackles and 10 pass deflections, but no interceptions. On special teams, Jones totaled 1,399 return yards and 1 TD. Jones and Reynaldo Hill made up the only rookie duo to start at least 10 games each at cornerback in the NFL. Many Tennessee fans felt that Jones was a disappointing pick, compared to the performance of the Titans' seventh round pick Reynaldo Hill, who had two interceptions with 39 tackles.

At the end of his sophomore season in the NFL, Jones totaled career-high 62 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, 12 deflected passes, 4 interceptions, 130 return yards, one interception touchdown, 14 passes defended (second-team), 440 punt return yards and tied for NFL-high with 3 punt return touchdowns. The three punt returns also tied the franchise record with Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, which was set in 1975. His 12.9 yards per punt return average led the NFL, edging out Chicago's Devin Hester by a tenth of a yard, while his 26.1 yards per kick return average ranked him 7th in the league and 6th in the AFC. Jones also caught two passes on offense for 31 yards (one for 17 yards) and rushed twice for 8 yards. His best performance came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15, when Jones had an 83-yard interception return for a score, a 70-yard kick return, and broke up a touchdown pass to Matt Jones to save the game. Jones broke out in his fifth game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts, when he recorded a then personal season-high five tackles and defended a pass in the 14-13 loss. The very next week against the Washington Redskins, Jones recorded four tackles and stripped the ball from Antwaan Randle El for his first forced fumble of his career. The next week against Houston, Jones tied a career-high tackle total with eight, and picked off a Sage Rosenfels pass for his first career interception, and also posted his second touchdown on a punt return in his career in the fourth quarter with a 53-yard return. Two weeks later, against the Eagles, Jones recorded his second punt return for a score of the season, this one 90-yards, breaking Billy Johnson's 87-yard franchise record. The next week against the New York Giants, Jones picked off an Eli Manning pass in the fourth quarter that sparked the Titans' 21-point comeback. Against the New England Patriots in the last game of the season, Jones totaled 259 return yards (the NFL's highest total since 2006) along with a punt return score.

uspension

Near the 2007 NFL Draft, Jones's off-field issues (one revealed instance involved in a fist fight and a shooting in a Las Vegas strip club that paralyzed manager Tommy Urbanski) led many to believe that the Titans would cut or trade Jones before his third season in the league began. On April 10, 2007, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced a 1-year suspension for Jones, to be re-evaluated after the 10th regular-season game, pending disposition of current cases. The suspension has been appealed. [http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_5640178 Pacman Jones banned for 2007 season] ] [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2832015 Goodell suspends Jones, Henry for arrests] "ESPN News Services", 10 April 2007.] Jones took out a full ad in the Tennessean, promising "he'll win back trust" of his teammates and fans." "To my family, teammates, coaches and fans, I recognize that I have lost the right to ask for your patience and understanding," Jones wrote. "However, I will do everything in my power to regain your trust and respect." [ [http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070420/SPORTS01/704200426] ] Jones also wrote in the letter, his plans to re-enroll and finish his degree at West Virginia University. "The basis of the appeal … will be to clarify some of the facts and address the unprecedented punishment that was imposed," Jones wrote in the letter. However on June 12, Jones withdrew his appeal.

On November 5, 2007, it was reported that Jones would not be allowed to be reinstated during the 2007 season after meeting with Roger Goodell. [ [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7409098 FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Jones' suspension not expected to be cut ] ] Tennessee running back LenDale White told "The Tennessean" that he thinks that "53 of 53" Titans' players would want Jones to return to the team. Quarterback Vince Young said, "We are going to do well without him, we can do well with him...". [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3100479 ESPN - Report: Some teammates would welcome Pacman's return - NFL ] ] On December 13, 2007, the NFL agreed to hear the player's union's appeal on Jones's behalf. The player's union appealed Roger Goodell's decision to not allow Jones to be reinstated during the 2007 season. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3153767 ESPN - NFL to hear union's appeal on Friday - NFL ] ]

On February 1, 2008, ESPN reported that that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell remained "disappointed" in Jones and that he would most likely not be reinstated after the Super Bowl. The NFL was to review Jones after the 2008 Pro Bowl. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=3226625 ESPN - NFL commissioner still 'disappointed' in Pacman - NFL ] ] It was also reported that the Tennessee Titans would try to trade Jones, if reinstated. [ [http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/181798,report-titans-to-trade-pacman-jones.html Report: Titans to trade Pacman Jones : US Entertainment ] ]

On March 8, 2008, Jones announced on a Tennessee radio station that he felt he was in "tip-top shape" and was ready to be reinstated. His agent has also announced that they will consider applying for reinstatement before the 2008 NFL Draft. Jones also said on the radio show that he would like to play for the Dallas Cowboys, if the Titans were looking to trade him. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3281503 ESPN - Report: Pacman in 'top-tip shape,' ready to return to NFL - NFL ] ] The Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots also expressed interest in Jones. [ [http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080308/SPORTS01/803080360/1027 Cowboys like Pacman, but deal unlikely soon Tennessean.com] On March 30, Jones participated at a charity basketball event, where he then signed a football for a fan with the #21, later saying that he believes he would wear the number if he ended up in Dallas with the Cowboys. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3320440 "Report: Pacman thinks he's through in Tennessee, eyes No. 21" - ESPN - March 30th, 2008] ] NFL Network correspondent, Adam Schefter, had also described the Tennessee-Dallas trade for Jones as being "imminent". [ [http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/story/2008/3/28/04722/5766 "Schefter: Pacman Jones trade to Dallas Cowboys "imminent" " Blogging the Boys - March 28th, 2008] ] On April 1, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said that he would have a decision on reinstating Jones prior to training camp, presumably in July. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3323489 "Commish firms up time frame for ruling on Pacman's reinstatement" - ESPN - April 1, 2008] ] However, the next day, reports said that the trade is being delayed due to the Cowboys denying the request to provide a fourth-round pick and a pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Also, disagreements let out over whether the Cowboys would reimburse the Titans for money bonus owed to Jones. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3325562 "Source: Cowboys, Titans yet to agree on Pacman compensation" - ESPN - April 2, 2008] ] However, Adam Schefter of NFL Network reported on April 13 that trade talks were happening again, with the Cowboys offering a sixth-round pick and the Titans requesting a fourth-round pick in the 2008 Draft. [ [http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/13/titans-cowboys-pacman-jones-trade-back/ Titans-Cowboys Pacman Jones Trade Back? - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog ] ] Jones will wait to apply for reinstatement to the NFL. Jones is apparently waiting for his trade to the Cowboys to happen he told the media on the Michael Irvin radio show. [ [http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/04/pacman-to-hold-up.html Pacman to wait before applying for reinstatement] ] On April 23, 2008, Jones was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. However, if Jones is not reinstated by the NFL then the Titans will reimburse the Cowboys with a 2009 draft pick.

Dallas Cowboys

On April 23, 2008, ESPN reported that Jones was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. The story cited anonymous sources and that neither team has verified the claim.

The story says conditions are attached to the trade. If the NFL decides to reinstate Jones for the 2008-2009 season, the Cowboys will also give their sixth-round pick to Tennessee in 2009. If he doesn't get reinstated by the NFL, the Titans have to send their fourth-round pick to the Cowboys in 2009.

According to ESPN, Jones also has reached a financial settlement with the Titans regarding his contract situation. Jones also must pay $500,000 to a charity chosen by the Titans sometime in the next two years. He will receive a new contract from the Cowboys. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3364138 Cowboys agree on deal to acquire Pacman from Titans] ]

On April 24, Hall of Famer Jim Brown announced that he had offered his support and help to Jones while in Dallas. Former Cowboys teamates and NFL standouts Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders have also both expressed a willingness to help the troubled cornerback. [http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/04/24/jimbrown_0425.html]

After being traded to the Cowboys, Jones signed a four-year contract that included no signing bonus. Also included are annual roster bonuses. This protects Dallas against Jones making any more off-field mistakes. [ [http://www.star-telegram.com/332/story/600656.html Contract language, physical all that's left to complete Pacman trade] ]

On June 2nd, Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Jones that, effective immediately, he may participate in organized team activities with the Dallas Cowboys, including training camp and preseason games. On August 26th Jones was fully reinstated for the 2008 NFL season . [cite web| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp08/news/story?id=3557979 title=Pacman Cowboys told Pacman will be reinstated by Season Opener| publisher=ESPN.com| author=Ed Werder| date=2008-08-28| accessdate=2008-08-28]

In the season opener for the Cowboys, a 28-10 victory against the Cleveland Browns, Jones recorded a tackle and a pass deflection. In the following 41-37 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jones recorded 4 tackles and a pass deflection. In the 27-16 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Jones led the Cowboys with 8 tackles and a fumble recovery.

On October 8th, 2008, Jones was involved in an altercation with his bodyguard in a Dallas hotel. According to ESPN, a police report was not filed and Jones' bodyguard opted not to press charges. The Dallas Cowboys and a spokesman for the NFL had no comment on the situation. It is likely that since no charges were filed Jones will not be fined or punished for the altercation. In an ironic twist, Commissioner Goodell had stopped by the Cowboys practice facility earlier that same day as part of a routine visit to check up on the players.

Career statistics

Non-football related ventures

Professional wrestling

Infobox_Wrestler
name=Adam "Pacman" Jones

---

img_capt=Jones in TNA's Impact! Zone
names=Adam "Pacman" Jones
birth_date=birth date and age|1983|9|30
height=height|foot=5|inch=10
weight=convert|185|lb|kg st|abbr=on
debut=August 12 2007
retired=October 15 2007

On July 30 2007, it was reported that Jones was working on a deal with the professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).cite news |title= Pacman to pro wrestling |url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=/nfl/news/ABN4094126.htm |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2007-07-30 |accessdate=2007-07-30 ] As the news circulated, Titan's coach Jeff Fisher stated that his football contract could preclude him from actually wrestling with the company, [cite news |title=Titans could nix Pacman's deal for wrestling |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7077484 |publisher=FOX Sports |date=2007-07-31 |accessdate=2007-08-01 ] but negotiations continued for a non wrestling role. [cite news |title=Titans' Jones seeking non-wrestling TNA gig |url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/TEN/10276069 |publisher=NFL.com |date=2007-07-31 |accessdate=2007-08-01 ] On August 6, TNA confirmed through their website that a deal had been signed,cite news |url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/news/fullnews2.php?all=1477 |title=Adam "Pacman" Jones Signs Contract With TNA Wrestling |publisher=TNAwrestling.com |accessdate=2007-08-06] and afterwards interviews with Jones and Jeff Jarrett, one of TNA's Vice Presidents, indicated that he did intend to wrestle, primarily as part of a tag team. [cite news |first=Ryan |last=Houston |title=Adam 'Pacman' Jones exclusive interview |url=http://www.nbcsports.com/portal/site/nbcsports/menuitem.6f806e473b4cb158fb00ec22493c2d04/?vgnextoid=6b97fc8c22144110VgnVCM10000075c1d240RCRD&vgnextchannel=9f23d5e59df02110VgnVCM100000dc032c03RCRD&vgnextfmt=default |publisher=NBC Sports |date=2007-08-07 |accessdate=2007-08-10] [cite news |title=Pacman stepping into ring |url=http://winnipegsun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2007/08/07/4398871-sun.html |publisher=AP |date=2007-08-07 |accessdate=2007-08-10 ]

After some legal wrangling, it was agreed that Jones could appear for the company, but in a non-physical role only. During his time there he was placed into a tag team known as Team Pacman with Ron "the Truth" Killings and held the TNA World Tag Team Championship by defeating Sting, and the TNA X-Division, Tag Team, and World Heavyweight Champion, Kurt Angle. Since he was not allowed to appear in the ring, eventually a third man—Rasheed Lucius "Consequences" Creed—was added to the group.

His contract expired on October 15 and TNA chose not to renew it. [cite web|url= http://www.wrestlezone.com/article.php?articleid=195972822|last=Clark |first=Ryan|title=Adam 'Pacman' Jones & TNA Part Ways|publisher=WrestleZone.com|accessmonthday=November 07|accessyear=2007|date=November 1 2007]

Championships and accomplishments

*Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
**TNA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) [cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tna/tna-t.html |title=TNA World Tag Team Title |accessdate=2007-09-10 |publisher=Wrestling-Titles ] - (as part of Team Pacman)

Music

Also during his suspended season, Jones announced that he would be collaborating on a hip hop album. [cite news |title=Pacman to try hand at music |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/08/15/bc.fbn.titans.pacman.ap/index.html |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=2007-08-15 |accessdate=2007-08-15 ] After the announcement was made an NFL spokesman let it be known that the NFL was looking into whether the name of Jones' record label, National Street League Records, infringed on the National Football League trademark.cite news |title=Pacman one half of 'Posterboyz' duo; NFL scrutinizes label name |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2976302 |publisher=Associated Press |date=2007-08-15 |accessdate=2007-08-16 ] Jones' group, Posterboyz, released their first single, "Let it Shine", through a MySpace page. [MySpace|232633663|Posterboyz]

Legal troubles

On July 13, 2005 Jones was arrested on charges of assault and felony vandalism stemming from a nightclub altercation. On September 5, 2005 Jones was a guest at the annual Nashville Sports Council Kickoff Luncheon. After a loud verbal tantrum when he was told to wait in line for his vehicle later that evening, Jones was counseled by the police. He also refused to pay for any valet services used that evening, because he didn't have money at the time. On October 2005, in a petition filed by the State of West Virginia, it was alleged that Jones had not made regular and sufficient contact with his probation officer and that he did not report his July arrest in Nashville in a timely fashion. The court ordered the probation extended for a period of 90 days, although the state requested it to be extended one year.

On August 25, 2006, Jones was arrested in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for disorderly conduct and public intoxication after claiming that a woman stole his wallet. She claimed that she did not steal anything and Jones spat on her. Police officers said they ordered Jones to leave several times, but he refused, continuing to shout profanities at the woman. A judge granted him six months probation on the conditions that he stays out of further trouble and away from the nightclub.Nashville nightclub. He was suspended by the Titans for one game and was scheduled to be booked on the charge on November 17, 2006.

Jones also is set to appear in a Fayetteville, Georgia court in 2007 for his February 2006 incident on subpoenas for felony and misdemeanor obstruction of justice charges for an incident outside a home. The charges of marijuana possession in the same state were dismissed. [Associated Press, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2784050 Pacman faces obstruction charge in Georgia] , March 1, 2007.]

On June 18, 2007 Jones was sought by police for questioning after a shooting at an Atlanta strip club allegedly involved members of his entourage. According to police at the scene, Jones was not present during the shooting, and is not being charged. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2908112 Pacman wanted for questioning after shooting allegedly involving crew] at ESPN.com]

On May 7, 2007, Jones was stopped at 12:45 a.m. on Interstate 65 heading into downtown after an officer clocked him on radar at 79 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Las Vegas shooting case

On the morning of February 19, 2007 during the 2007 NBA All-Star Game weekend in Las Vegas, Jones is alleged to have been involved in an altercation with an exotic dancer at Minxx, a local strip club. Jones and American rap artist Nelly patronized the club on the evening in question. Nelly, along with someone known only as Richard Rich, began to shower the stage with hundreds of one-dollar bills; an act known as "making it rain." Jones then joined Nelly by throwing his own money for "visual effect". Club promoter Chris Mitchell then directed his dancers to collect the money. According to the club's co-owner, Jones became enraged when one of the dancers began taking the money without his permission. He allegedly grabbed her by her hair and slammed her head on the stage. A security guard intervened and scuffled with members of Jones' entourage of half a dozen people. Jones then allegedly threatened the guard's life. [http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-22-Thu-2007/news/12741485.html Warrant includes details of club melee, shootings] , "Las Vegas Review-Journal", February 22, 2007.] During this time Mitchell and a male associate left the club with a garbage bag filled with $81,020 of Jones' money and two Breitling watches, which police later recovered. [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2813615 Pacman Jones could face misdemeanors, felony] ]

More trouble followed Jones after the altercation, when drug dealer Darryl Moore reported to the police, after being busted during a deal, about his phone conversations with Jones. "We gotta slow down, man. We gotta get him focused on football, man." Moore is alleged to have said. Wiretapped phone conversations between Moore and his friends revealed Moore talking about how Jones bet on college games to earn quick money. "You know, I was talkin' to him the other day about smokin', and he was like 'man, if I didn't smoke I couldn't take all the stress that I'm dealing with right now,'" Moore said. [http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6146420 Drug Dealer's Recorded Calls Mention Pacman's Troubles] , NewsChannel5.com (Nashville), February 27, 2007.] Jones has not been connected to the Moore drug arrests or convicted for the Vegas stripper incident.

On June 20, 2007, the Las Vegas Police and Clark County District Attorney's office announced that Jones would face two felony charges stemming from the strip club melee. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2910497 Pacman faces felony charges in shooting that paralyzed man] at ESPN.com] But on November 13, 2007, Jones accepted a plea deal [ [http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hc0qNm_zZPaziA-U-n_g0n_mfGWQ] Dead link|date=March 2008] ; on Dec. 6, Jones pleaded no contest to one charge of conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct, a misdemeanour. He was given a suspended prison sentence of a one-year, probation, and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. [ [http://www.courttv.com/people/2007/1207/pacman_jones_ap.html Suspended NFL star 'Pacman' Jones pleads guilty in Las Vegas strip club melee on CourtTVnews.com ] ]

On June 25, 2007, Tommy Urbanski and his wife Kathy sued Jones in civil court, claiming that Jones had bitten his left ankle, and was responsible for the shooting. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-pacmancharges&prov=ap&type=lgns Vegas strip club bouncer sues 'Pacman' Jones over melee, shooting] ] . The lawsuit also named the Tennessee Titans franchise and the NFL as defendants, on the grounds that Jones's employers knew of his erratic behavior prior to the Minxx incident but did not suspend him until afterwards. Had the Titans suspended Jones prior to the NBA All-Star game, the suit argues, he would not have been invited to the Las Vegas events, and the incident would not have taken place. [ [http://www.lvrj.com/news/13285502.html ReviewJournal.com - News - NFL team tries to quash lawsuit by paralyzed man ] ]

On April 21, a document revealed that Jones paid an extortion cash sum of $15,000 to various people after the Las Vegas shooting. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3357972 ESPN - Police say Pacman paid 'extortion' cash in Vegas shooting - NFL ] ]

Effect on NFL career

On April 3, 2007 Jones met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss his future.

On April 10, 2007 the NFL announced that Jones would be suspended for the entire 2007 season, a suspension not assessed a player in 44 years (for reasons other than substance abuse) since Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were each suspended for one season for gambling. This suspension also stated that Jones will not receive pay during this suspension and that it is subject to additional review after the tenth regular season game, pending disposition of pending charges. His suspension also comes with a stern warning that future misconduct may result in the end of his career with the NFL. In anticipation of Jones' suspension, Nick Harper was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Titans. What effect the suspension will have on the salary cap is not yet known, although the Titans could seek repayment of the approximately $1.9 million in signing bonus money due Jones in 2007. The suspension carries no guarantee of reinstatement after it has been completed.

On April 14, 2007, Jones announced that he would appeal the suspension set by Goodell. [ [http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10119161 NFL Suspends Pacman Jones, Bengals' Henry] , April 10, 2007. ] However, since Goodell also hears appeals, the chances of winning any reduction in the suspension are extremely slim. Jones later dropped his appeal on June 12, 2007 [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/06/12/bc.fbn.pacmansuspension.ap/index.html] , June 12, 2007.]

On August 13, 2007, regarding the February Las Vegas strip club incident, Jones told Bryant Gumbel of HBO Sports' "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" that he was innocent and had never hit the stripper or told anyone he was going to kill them. When asked about friend and convicted drug dealer Darryl Moore, Jones said that he didn't know Moore was a drug dealer and felt surprised and betrayed. Jones also said he didn't think he got a fair say in his April meeting with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. [cite news |title='I never hit no girl' - Pacman claims innocence in Vegas strip club melee |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/specials/preview/2007/08/13/pacman.exploits.ap/index.html |work= |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=2007-08-13 |accessdate=2007-08-14 ]

After 10 games into the 2007 season, Roger Goodell reviewed his decision to suspend Jones for the entire season. He ultimately, however, declined to reduce it in any way. Following this announcement, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) said that it would appeal Jones' suspension. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3105575 ESPN - NFLPA appeals Goodell's lack of leniency in Pacman case - NFL ] ]

On January 15, 2008, Jones was accused of hitting a woman in a strip club in Atlanta, Georgia on the morning of January 3, 2008. The woman, Wanda S. Jackson, was seeking an arrest warrant. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3197653 ESPN - Woman accuses Pacman of punching woman in club - NFL ] ] However, on January 16, Jackson withdrew the warrant. [ [http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2008/01/16/pacman_0116.html Fulton Co. attorney withdraws complaint against Pacman | ajc.com ] ]

June 21, 2008, The Associated Press has reported Jones' $1.5 million home in foreclosure. The home and 30 acres, located in a Nashville suburb, will be sold June 27 on the steps of the old Williamson County Courthouse. [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hOXlLHADg1Jgr-OXbfxZOtWmsuBgD91E0K3G2] Dead link|date=August 2008]

On August 28, 2008, sources indicated that Jones was to be fully re-instated to the NFL by commissioner Goodell. [cite news
last =
first =
coauthors =
title = Cowboys told Pacman will be reinstated for opener
work = NFL Training Camp '08
pages =
language =
publisher = "ESPN"
date = August 28, 2008
url = http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp08/news/story?id=3557979
accessdate = 2008-08-28 ]

Nickname

His nickname "Pacman" is used much more often than his true first name, Adam, including by broadcasters and official websites connected to the NFL. It was even represented by a "P" on the back of his Titans jersey.

He has had the nickname all his life; his mother gave it to him when he was a young child, saying that he would drink his milk as fast as the video game character Pac-Man. However, in June 2008, Jones decided that he now only wants to be known as Adam Jones or "Mr. Jones", in an attempt to separate himself from his troubled past. [cite news |url=http://sports.aol.com/story/_a/no-more-pacman-jones-wants-to-drop/n20080622124609990013 |title=No more Pacman? Jones wants to drop nickname |publisher=AOL Sports |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2008-06-23]

ee also

*National Football League player conduct controversy

References

External links

* [http://www.titansonline.com/team/players/bio.php?PRKey=284 Tennessee Titans bio]
*imdb name|2586491|Pacman Jones