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Marcus Jones moves past NFL life

For Marcus Jones, life in the National Football League isn't everything.

Jones, a product of Southwest High School who went on to play for North Carolina and later spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recently retired from the ranks of the professional level after being waived by the Buffalo Bills in September. Jones was placed on injured reserve while rehabilitating a knee injury after being signed by the Bills.

In his career the former Stallion and Tar Heel defensive end played in 84 games, starting 39. He compiled 24 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries while playing with such All-Pros as Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. Jones, however, was cut by the Bucs in October of 2002.

Some may ask why Jones called an end to playing pro football, instead of searching for another team. For him, the decision was easy.

Lost the desire

"I just don't have the desire to play pro football any more because to me, that's not playing if you are being used as a tackling dummy," Jones said prior to the second-round NCHSAA playoff game between Southwest and Tarboro on Friday. "I want to be in a position (on the team) where I know I can kick someone's butt."

With a season away from football, Jones, who majored in communications from UNC, has taken the time off to relax and find out what his future plans are. He currently lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife but is attempting to convince her to possibly move closer to home. Thus far he isn't having any luck.

"She likes it in Florida because she has family there. But, for right now, I am just setting back and (watching for things) to come my way," Jones said. "I just want to take time and explore my options. I have been out of the mix so long so I haven't had time to use (my major).

Not a coach

When asked if coaching football, either in the high school or college level was ever an interest, Jones said that he would prefer to do something else.

"I like coming here and helping out the kids because I enjoy seeing them do well but I am the type of person if the team didn't do so well Â…," he said.

During the Stallions postseason game on Friday, a number of people in attendance came up to the 6-foot-6, 277-pounder to shake his hand and chat. What made it an enjoyable experience for the public, especially younger kids and current SWO players, is the fact that, not only were they engaging conversion with a well-known Onslow County athlete, but they were doing it with someone who is just as popular because of the man he is. Jones also provided a spark for the Stallions football team by coming to practice and to the game.

While some who have played professional sports often shy away from fan support, Jones cherishes it, taking the time before the game to sign autographs for several of the youth who may look to him as a role model.

"He has never forgotten where he has come from and I can say that he is one of the many sons that I have had on Friday nights," said close friend Billy Woodward Jr., who co-announces Southwest football games on WJCV-1290 AM each week. "You could see a difference in the players after he attended practice.

"He is so close with my family that he calls my two daughters sisters."

Southwest head coach of 16 years Phil Padgett mirrored Woodward's thoughts, adding that Jones is great apart of the SWO tradition.

"We feel like we have a tradition where all of our former players can come back and that is always a good feeling," Padgett explained. "Marcus is like a son to me, he is a great person and the kids all respect him.

"When he comes back, we just enjoy being around each other."

As evidence that Jones doesn't view playing football as a life-enduring occupation, he doesn't hold much of a grudge against the Tampa Bay organization for releasing him just a season before winning Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders. He feels in order to have a world championship ring, one must earn it.

"That is the one thing that everyone plays for, to win a Super Bowl," Jones explained. "But I feel that if I was on the team, I would have not really earned it because I would not be out there helping the team."

In this world where people often take sports too seriously, it is nice for a change to see someone who has earned respect in the Onslow Country community take a step back and focus on more important aspects in life.

Even though Jones has not earned the all-star acclaim that he might have dreamed about as a kid, many people are proud of him for the fact that we have someone from our city that can say he has been there before and that has always made time to come back home.

Contact Chris Miller via e-mail at cmiller@jdnews.com or by calling 353-1171, ext. 225.


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