The stepfather always told the stepson he had a gift, and anyone who ever saw Gerald Jones on the football field agreed. Great athlete. Natural leader.
"Be a good steward of God's gift," Steve Davis told Jones. Don't take it for granted. Stay humble.
And if you somehow lose that humility, it will come and find you.
Humility found Gerald Jones on Jan. 11. Humility and embarrassment and despair.
Knoxville police charged the University of Tennessee flanker, a 2007 graduate of Millwood High School, and a teammate with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Worse yet, the football players were hosting a recruit, Muskogee's Jameel Owens, guaranteeing that Jones' transgression would get big play back in Oklahoma.
"Gerald felt horrible," Davis said. "He was humiliated. He was embarrassed for us."
Truth is, Jones wanted to leave Tennessee. Wanted to go somewhere he could start over. Somewhere he hadn't ruined his good name.
But today, Jones' status with Tennessee football isn't so bad. Maybe the lessons imparted by a stern stepfather took hold.
A week after his arrest, Jones wrote a letter. Nothing fancy. Nothing groundbreaking. But effective.
Dear Coach Fulmer, Teammates, Volunteer Fans and Parents:
I am sending this letter to each of you in order to express my sincere regret for embarrassing the University of Tennessee and the football program because of a most unfortunate, well-publicized situation last week. Even more importantly, I have let my parents, coaches, teammates, fans and myself down. Please accept my apology for my lack of judgment. There are no excuses.
I have been abundantly blessed in my life with a wonderful family and the unbelievable opportunity not only to play football, but also to get an education at one of the premier universities in America, the University of Tennessee.
Finally, I want to thank Coach Fulmer for the opportunity he has given me. Please know I have learned a hard life lesson, and I am committed to making sure it never happens again. I accept the responsibilities for my actions and will now move forward.
Respectfully,
Gerald Jones
Solid letter. Short and to the point. Jones could have had help writing such a letter and for all I know, he did. But as long as he means it, the sentiment holds.
We have seen our share of exalted football players find trouble in recent months. Shoplifting. Assaulting a peace officer. Theft. Sexual assault.
We don't really know how the guilty or the accused responded. They are off limits to the press. Heck, so is Gerald Jones.
But his stepfather shared the letter with The Oklahoman. And Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer returned a call within the afternoon after being told the nature of the inquiry, though we missed connections.
"I was terribly disappointed," Jones' mother, Camille Davis, said of the arrest. "The last thing I would have imagined. He was terribly embarrassed. He decided he wanted to make his wrong right. I was proud of him for doing that."
Jones isn't the first football player in trouble to express regret and promise to do better. Some of them even mean it. Maybe Gerald Jones means it. I like his chances.
He seems to have received good raising. Steve Davis is a minister at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and was a chaplain for the NBA Hornets when they were in town.
Davis admits he and his stepson didn't always get along. Jones himself said a year ago one reason he signed with Tennessee was it was far from home and it was time to get out and see the world.
When Jones was in high school, his father died. Camille Davis wonders if her son adequately grieved. And Steve Davis admits he has been rough on his stepson.
"I rode Gerald hard," Davis said. "I saw Gerald had a great gift. I saw a lot of young African-American men doing dumb stuff, with the world in their hands, literally throwing it away."
When others praised Jones, his stepfather would offer instruction. Ways to be better. Ways to improve.
Before Jones left for Tennessee, he had a poignant conversation with the man who helped raise him.
"I had moments where I hated you," Jones told Davis. "I prayed and asked God, 'Why are you in my life?' But I appreciate you for how hard you were on me."
Some of that guidance came to fruit when Jones found trouble in Tennessee.
"When this situation came up, I was disturbed by it," Davis said. "He was so embarrassed. He wanted to leave. But I told him, a real man faces his obstacles. You deal with it, hold your head up and keep on moving. I told Gerald to pray about it."
Davis wanted his stepson to blame no one else. To accept responsibility.
Jones decided to write the letter.
"When he chose to do that, my heart flooded," Davis said. He told Jones, "I see you maturing as a young man."
Who knows if further trouble awaits Gerald Jones? But the letter seems a good place to start on the right road.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
Vols' spring practice wit…
Tennessee practices in Rhode Island
UT signees
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 133
blackoakfarm#635750 writes:
As one of the orange clad in the stadium you never meet.
I accept your apology.
Go Vols.
DennisVols writes:
"There are no excuses", "I accept the responsibilities for my actions"
Now that is what you want to see when a person makes a mistake.
Too many times I have seen the other approach. It was always someone else's fault.
It also looks like Jones has a good stepfather who has taught him well in being accountable for his actions.
StaytheCourse writes:
Great...now lets get ready for spring pratice, This guy is going to be right up there with the best recievers at UT. Jones' Bone-G gun for 08
Germany_Vol writes:
With God on youe side Gerald, you can do anything.
Good luck. Go Vols! Great in 08!
IPOrange writes:
Gerald, you have a unique opportunity to have a positive impact on your team-mates. After reading the letter, I believe you are sincere. Hang in there. Stay with this team. You can have a much greater influence here than if you leave. I've seen you play, and I know you have tremendous talent. That is a given. Now work hard to become a leader on this team. We need devoted young men on the team to accept a leadership role and influence the other players, especially the young members coming in. May God bless you.
1volgal writes:
I cant wait to shake your hand at the orange and white game. good luck!!!!!
AllVol writes:
What IPOrange said . . . . Go Gerald. Go Big Orange.
james#216392 writes:
I truely hope this is a lesson learned and more importantly, used for future decisions faced. I coach and I deal with young men's bad decisions, at a much lessor scale, and I have players tell me they learned from their mistakes. A month or two later, and their in trouble again. Not this criminal, serious stuff, but cutting classes, disrepectful of teachers, coaches, etc. I love to see young men be leaders. The children in Tennessee and other parts worship their sports hero's. Set a good example for them. You never know who is watching you. Go Vols.
Hunter writes:
Nice.
volfan73120#211815 writes:
God Bless You young man.
BluetickBlues writes:
Apology accepted, now get to work you've got some amends to make.
rabidvol1998 writes:
Great Story. Best of Luck Gerald, we are all pulling for you.
FWBVol writes:
I'm praying for you Gerald. Keep focused on the eternal prize and the football prizes will take care of themselves.
And oh yes, I too accept your apology.
VOLnATL writes:
Nice to hear a sincere apology from a maturing young man. Now, go make us proud on the field!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Seems that he had good guidance at home, even if he didn't appreciate it at the time. Lots of young people don't. Funny how much smarter our parents get as we get older! The letter sounds good. Now he needs to go on to prove that he meant it. His talent could be a difference-maker next year. It would be good if he became a difference-maker as a leader as well.
dbush#231136 writes:
Gerald, apology accepted. Keep your head up.
Go Big Orange!
mtnvol writes:
Very impressive! It takes a big man to a) recognize a mistake, b) take ownership of it, and c) publicly apologize for it. Good on ya, GJ!
DenverVol writes:
2nd that, mtnvol! Go Vols!
vol1994 writes:
Takes a man to stand up, apologize, and admit he was wrong. Very rare do you see a college student athlete, or even a young person at all, write a public apology and ask for forgiveness.
We all make mistakes and it is more important that we learn from them which I hope you have.
Us Vol fans accept your apology and wish you and your fellow teammates nothing but success!!
GO VOLS!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Something is wrong in our nation when a young man's mistake and penance are published for all the world to see and scrutinize and pontificate upon. This is a private family matter first and an internal UT issue second.
It disturbs me to see a young man's private life so publicly dissected by adult sportswriters, fans, etc.
This ain't right, folks. I guess Rev. Davis started it all when he shared the letter with the OK newspaper.
Bummer.
Ironcity writes:
The fact that Jones transgression were shared with everybody. I think it only fitting that his apology also be shared. I wish the young man the best and hope that this bump in the road makes him stronger.
Col26ca writes:
eVOLution When people such as Mr. Jones have gifts and use them in a positive manner either sports, business, politics, etc. They get the glory. Like wise they mess up and they get the blame. The story does have meaning. He took a step bigger than any on the field. He took responsibility. That's the real story. And it should be important to us all. Take responsibily for your actions and before long you make fewer wrong decision. God Bless your Mr. Jones and all other who do the right thing.
BornaVolDieaVol writes:
Gerald couldn't say it, so I will... a license plate bulb out???? CMON PO-PO! we all know they were pulled over because it was an 80's model car most would associate with black people.
But great letter and hopefully a true sign of character. Gerald, you were a better man that I would have been in that situation.
givehim6 writes:
Very good young man. Your step father sounds like a wise man. Lots of people mess-up in life, the main thing is know where to turn, your on the wright path. Trust GOD to help you make wise choses in life, be a good man, teammate, student, and player.
TommyJack writes:
Mbum: Welcome back
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Amazing what rabid fans will say after one of their hero's breaks the law and does something illegal. If only we could all have this reaction when we do something illegal. I guess it pays to be a Div. 1 athlete.
Madkels writes:
Gerald, it takes a man to admit his errors and move forward. Congratulations to you for doing the right thing and hold your head high. When you walk on that field, know we appreciate your honesty and integrity. That's what it takes to be a leader. God bless and GO Vols!
Plasticman writes:
BornaVolDieaVol, look at this as a blessing that they were pulled over. If they had not been caught they might still be doing the same thing and would be caught eventually. I think young people mature when they do stupid things, make poor choices ,and learn from their mistakes. It sounds like Gerald has done this. He will be a much better person because of it. Kudos for you Gerlad for stepping up and accepting the blame for your actions and apologizing for it. You are much more of a man than most people on this board. Good luck next season!
KHVOLFAN writes:
Great news! Gerald I wish you the best and pray that you can be a true leader to your team on and off the field. GOD bless you!
orangebass writes:
THIS WAS A REALLY CLASS THING TO DO AND SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN, THE SAD PART IS THE LACK OF DISICPLINE THAT THE COACHING STAFF SHOWS AND HOW IT INFLUENCES THESE YOUNG MEN. FULLMER AND HIS LAZY STAFF ARE THE ONES TO BLAME. MAYBE HE WILL GET OF HIS FAT REAR END AND RUN WITH THESE GUYS AND SHOW HE TOO NEEDS TO STEP IT UP. AND MAYBE JOHNNY CHAVIS CAN JOIN EM. HE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING BESIDES EAT DONUTS AND GET FATTER ALSO !!!!!
BigSwitch writes:
Isaiah 42:16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Many dark places in life Gerald. Trust the one who can light the dark places and make the rough places smooth.
This Big Orange fan is not throwing stones. Forgivness is an awesome thing.
Go Vols.
vol4good#206163 writes:
Good for you Gerald!! You only get one second chance, go make the best of it!
vols45 writes:
Unfortunate as the event was, I hope that all UT athletes take note and are reminded that they are under a microscope while participating as student-athletes at Tennessee. For those who excel in their given sport, it is even more imperative that they think before they act and subject themselves and the university to the pervasive negativism and criticism that follows them. Score a touchdown on Saturday afternoon and get your name and picture in the KNS just seems to act as a catalyst for some young athletes to make bad decisions. Sadly, they are the ones who make the front page on Monday.........or sometimes even on Sunday. Fratman decked out in his Polo clothes and the pretty boy from Brentwood in his BMW seem to get hidden on the pages with the bed wetting ads when they make bad decisions and get caught. Not the UT athlete. Notoriety is the name of the game and accountability goes with respectability when you wear a UT uniform. I do not know for the life of me why coaches.........dorm coaches, counselors, whoever!!!! can't get that across to these young men, but I hope this incident serves notice to those who defy the odds and make a bad decision which could cost them scholarship and an education. "Man up" guys and take heed!!! And, Gerald your hauling a pair the size of cantaloupes
for taking the public ridicule that you are. For all the Vol faithful, I wish you nothing but success in all that you do. A bunch of us do........and look forward to seeing you on Saturdays this fall.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Roll on young man. You'll be fine. Life is the caught and uncaught. You have learned, that's the main thing. Go Vols.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Roll on young man. You'll be fine. Life is the caught and uncaught. You have learned, that's the main thing. Go Vols.
VolsorCat writes:
PleaseGet: Please...Your hatred is showing through. Go back to the Bama site....
invisiblekid writes:
All you can ask a young man to do is learn from his mistakes. Time will tell, but it appears Jones has learned a lesson from this issue. Time to get the focus back onto the playing field for Jones and the whole team for that matter.
Mbumburu, I'd agree wholeheartedly but for one fact, the letter as it appears is addressed to the fans as well. This would seem to indicate he wanted this apology out in the open.
madisonvillevol writes:
accountability: enough said!
txsvol#372416 writes:
Interestingly enough, the sermon I listened to this morning was texted from the Olivet discourse in Mark 13 (with synoptics in Mt 24 and Luke 21), and Gerald's step-father is the pastor of the Mt. Olive BC in Oklahoma City. The Olivet discourse is the teachings of Our Lord on the Tuesday before his passion and death three days later, and most importantly (or it would be without any value to anybody), his resurrection five days later. I feel certain that the Reverend Davis has given structure and guidance to Gerald, and I appreciate Gerald's acknowledging his mistake. Luke 17:3. I for one will pray for Gerald, and I know that he will succeed spectacularly! Go Vols! SAVol
oldvolsfan writes:
God never lets us down now move forward and be a wittness for God to the team
ncvol17 writes:
I love reading these blogs. One berates the coaches for being fat and this being the cause of young kids smoking dope. The next quotes Bible versus.If he had turned the darkness into light then the license plate bulb wouldn't have been burned out would it? The whole event wouldn't have happened.
Go VOLS.. keep sports secular & on weight watchers
bigbluevol writes:
That's a great apology and gesture and I'm glad to see it. I'm confident that he will improve his life and continue to be a solid contributor to the team. I hate to rip on the KNS, but this letter was written a week after the incident and the step-father released it in Oklahoma and this is the first we're hearing of it? I would have loved to have seen this story earlier.
IPOrange writes:
Is ole TDTN gone again? I can't find him anywhere on these boards......
reedt#304042 writes:
Good letter, and appears to be sincere. I join others in cheering you on to the greatness that many believe you can achieve! Stay firm in your commitment to serve yourself and the university well!
bammerslammer writes:
Isn't it ironic that after all is said and done, it seems like this young man is the very textbook example of the kind of kid that deserves a second chance. And to have read some of the scathing remarks several weeks ago, from some of the very posters who precede me in this thread, when this transgression first hit the news.
Who seems to be in error now ... the head coach or those same ol' tired, negative posters? (Stay the course, guys. Keep pounding your fritters.)
Good call, CPF!
bammerslammer writes:
And did you readers notice how well-written was this article? See how an article can be published with correct grammar, spelling, etc?!
And did you notice that it didn't originate from any of the KNS staff writers?
Did you notice that the author states that the Tennessee head coach was called regarding the article and responded that day? Maybe it's not that Fulmer doesn't trust the press. Maybe he merely prefers dealing with those who comport themselves in a professional manner.
abrown#232236 writes:
At that age it is hard to understand that a 1-2 year stretch of your life, as a youngster nonetheless, may constitute the highest moment of opportunity you ever see. Alot of kids party, smoke weed, screw around, etc. For the average kid, the choices they make in the first five years out of college are profound and will set the course for their life as workers and earners. For athletes, their time on the D1 stage goes a long way toward determining their careers - or lack thereof. More simply stated, the cost of getting in trouble for a college athlete is potential millions weighed against a life of "what if." These guys need to understand that the stakes are in fact way different for them than for other kids. So don't screw up. You'll regret it.
skyhawk836 writes:
"No excuses".
Good young man, outstanding step-dad.
vols10623 writes:
BRAVO !!! now win us a championship!
mtoms1272#210656 writes:
Now that is a true man. Way to go Gerald. The Big Orange Nation loves you.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.