North Carolina State University Athletics
Family Matters
9/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 22, 2005
Raleigh, N.C. - 20-16, Virginia Tech.
That's what the scoreboard read at Carter-Finley Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 4, as NC State fell to the Hokies to open the 2005 football season. After the crowd emptied out and the coaches spoke their minds, the only thing left for the players to do was go home.
One of nine married players on the team, redshirt senior J.J. Jones drove home to his wife, Krystal Doward Jones, and greeted her with a hug and a kiss. A few minutes later he called his mother, Patricia Worth, in Chicago and played catch-up. After a lengthy talk, she passed the phone along to each of his younger brothers. With the highlights scattered across Sportscenter and fans still dialing the call-in radio shows, Jones had only one thing on his mind; his family.
"I'm a very family-oriented guy," Jones said. "I love my family with all of my heart, and everything that I do, I do for them."
Growing up near the west side of Chicago in a town called Evanston, Ill., Jones had a fairly humble upbringing. Times were tough and he faced many challenging situations at home. The oldest of six boys, Jones kept busy with recreational sports to pass the time and stay out of trouble.
Before his sixth-grade year, Jones was all set to visit his stepfather's parents in Laurinburg, N.C. Originally intended to be a brief visit, Jones was soon living in the Scotland County town. Jones didn't end up staying with his step-grandparents, however. Instead, he wound up at the home of Devin and Ruth Hall. Ruth had become close friends with Jones' mother when her entire family relocated from Chicago to Laurinburg for a short time. The Halls, who had two sons of their own, took Jones in and treated him as one of their own.
"It's hard for people to take someone in that isn't a part of their family, and I definitely thank them for that," Jones said. "I feel like they see me as another son and I appreciate that. I feel the same way towards them."
Things got a little tougher once Jones' prep football career started catching the eyes of college recruiters. East Carolina, Notre Dame, North Carolina and NC State all came knocking on his door and set the table for a hard decision-making process. At first, Jones was sold on going to Notre Dame, with the thought that he would be closer to his family in Chicago. But that was before Jones committed to East Carolina.
"One of my best friends, Brandon Rainer, was the starting corner at ECU, and I had decided that I wanted to go to school there and play with him," Jones said. "He was one of my best friends and I was looking for that family environment."
Luckily for the Pack, former assistant coach Buddy Green changed Jones' mind at the very last minute. Jones was sold on the chance to graduate from high school early and enroll at NC State to begin working with the team. Even more, the players and the staff made Jones feel at home.
Ask Mrs. J.J. Jones if her spouse made the right decision. A 2003 graduate of NC State with a degree in biochemistry, Krystal met her future husband while they were both doing laundry at the Avent Ferry Complex on campus. After a movie and a few more dates, sparks flew and the two had developed the beginnings of a solid relationship. Five years later, they share a home and dreams of establishing their own family one day. Jones is quick to point out that his wife is always there for him, whether it be after class, practice, a bowl win, or an earth-shattering loss.
"That's the thing that I love about Krystal," Jones said. "She's very understanding. After a long hard day of practice, it's nothing for her to listen to me and help take the pressure off. She definitely helps me relax and unwind."
After meeting Krystal and becoming a staple in a solid Wolfpack backfield rotation, things were going pretty well for Jones. Then, this past year, his Great-Aunt Mary died and Jones was left to deal with one of the toughest struggles of his life.
"She was an inspiration to me," Jones said.
Since childhood, Jones' Great-Aunt Mary Armstead had spoken of the importance of having a personal relationship with God, keeping a positive outlook, and getting the most that you can out of life. Unable to have children, she treated her nephews as if they were her own, which is something that had a profound impact on Jones. When speaking at her funeral, Jones, who isn't one to get choked up, struggled to deal with the loss.
"Women who go through a situation like that; it's a very hurtful thing," Jones said. "For her to be able to carry herself well and treat people the way that she did, it was very inspirational. I had to fight back the tears and let people know what a great person she was.
"She was very religious and she loved God with all her heart. She let me know that if anything ever happened to her that she would be in a better place and I know that today she is."
Hanging in Jones' locker at the Murphy Center is a photo of his Great-Aunt Mary. It serves as both an inspiration and a reminder each time he takes the field.
"Just seeing her picture keeps my spirits up and gives me hope," Jones said.
With his college career coming to a close, and an eventual graduation waiting in the spring semester, Jones hopes that he has had a positive impact on his family during his time at NC State.
"People are always watching what you do," Jones said. "I've always tried to be a role model for my younger brothers, but now that they are getting older I try even harder. Their brains are like sponges. They absorb so much and understand things more now than ever."
Of Jones' mother's five brothers and sisters, he is the only one to come to college.
"Erase football," Jones said. "The fact that I am in school and about to get my degree, that says a lot right there. I didn't have that type of role model growing up, and I think that plays an important role in a child's life. In order to help a child want to stay out of trouble and do good in school, it helps to have someone around to look up to. That's what I try to provide for my little brothers."
