In the Green Bay Packers‘ Week 2 victory over the Detroit Lions, running back Aaron Jones experienced some nervous moments after he lost a pendant containing his deceased father’s ashes on the field. After retrieving the pendant, Jones can now rest assured that he can continue to play with them in a more safe and secure location.
According to a report by Ron Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers’ equipment staff have modified Aaron Jones’ jersey to include a pocket on the left side that he can place the pendant containing his father’s ashes in. Jones used the pocket for the first time in Week 3 as the Packers scored a dramatic victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
After Jones’ father, Alvin Jones Sr., died in April, Jones wore a pendant containing his cremains in Week 2 before losing it in the end zone during the course of the game. Thankfully, the pendant was eventually recovered by the Packers’ staff, and Jones plans to continue to keep his father’s ashes with him during games.
“I think it’s something I’ll continue to do, just keep my dad with me everywhere I go,” Jones said. “I wear it mostly at all time. Gotta get a new chain so I haven’t been wearing it except for on Sundays, but I think it’s definitely something I’ll continue to do.”
With his father’s cremains as a memento, Jones has run the ball 41 times so far this season, picking up 158 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns while also averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Jones has also been a factor in Green Bay’s vaunted passing game, catching 10 passes for 75 yards and another three touchdowns. Jones’ next game will be this Sunday when the Packers play the Pittsburgh Steelers in a marquee matchup between two of the NFL‘s flagship teams.