Cincinnati Bengals CB Adam Jones Wants to ‘Enlighten’ Rookies

Dec 13, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones 24 along the sidelines prior to playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Bengals defeated the Eagles 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones will once again speak to the rookie class as the rookie symposium and says he plans on giving the rookies some critical information about life in the NFL.

Jones drew rave reviews from players and media alike last offseason after speaking to rookies, so much so that the NFL asked him to come back again. If there’s one man qualified to warn impressionable rookies about the pitfalls of life in the NFL it’s Jones, who struggled with off-field issues for most of his career before being granted one final chance in Cincinnati.

According to Mike Garafol of USA Today, Jones says he is more than qualified for the position (which he is) and wants nothing more than to help the rookies in a positive  manner:

"“My goal is to just give back to the community and the league and to let them know you’re accountable for everything you’re doing,” he said. “There’s nobody who’s gotten more chances than me and, when you do, when you’re back in those situations … you’re always going to be judged by your past, regardless of what anybody says. I just want to try to enlighten some of the guys so they don’t have to go through the things I went through.”"

Believe it or not, Jones is actually doing a great service for the rookies and should be admired for his positive contributions over the years. Jones has grown up before our eyes and is turning his shortcomings in his early years into warnings for rookies.

There’s no greater deed than changing someone’s life in a positive manner and that’s exactly what Jones will attempt to do once more.

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