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Father: Matt Jones claims no responsibility for cocaine

Associated Press
Originally published 01:08 a.m., July 14, 2008
Updated 01:08 a.m., July 14, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The father of Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones says his son claims no responsibility for the cocaine found when he was arrested in his college home town last week.

"We want to make it clear that Matt was not in possession of any drugs, but that there were drugs in the vehicle and were located in the closest proximity to Matt," Steve Jones said in a statement Thursday posted on the Web site of KWNA television station in Fayetteville. "He does not claim any responsibility for the drugs."

The statement goes on to say that Matt Jones has talked to Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio, "telling coach he made a mistake and realizes that." The Morning News in Springdale said the elder Jones declined to elaborate on what his son and the coach said.

Steve Jones described the days since his son's arrest as "tough" and said his son would make a statement later with an attorney, according to the newspaper and KHOG television station.

Matt Jones, 25, a former Arkansas quarterback, faces a felony charge of possession of cocaine. Police say he was inside a car cutting up cocaine with a credit card before he was arrested. Jared Hicks and Benjamin Cook also were arrested and face misdemeanor drug charges. Hicks is a former Arkansas Razorback, as well.

Police say they searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag filled with a white substance that tested positive for cocaine and a jar with possible marijuana residue.

Steve Jones said his son was "disappointed in himself."

"It's a tough situation and Matt is here and there's been a lot of talking and a lot of soul searching," the elder Jones said. "We're going to make something positive out of it."

Jones, a first-round pick in 2005, failed to develop into the go-to receiver for Jacksonville. He caught 77 passes for 1,075 yards and nine touchdowns in his first two pro seasons, but he struggled in 2007.

Last season, Del Rio became increasingly frustrated with Jones' demeanor and work ethic, making him inactive for three games. In the offseason, the Jaguars signed free agent Jerry Porter and traded for former first-round pick Troy Williamson, raising questions about Jones' future with the team.

Jones was released from the Washington County jail on $2,500 bond. His arraignment was set for Aug. 11, two days after Jacksonville's preseason opener against Atlanta.

© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

       53 Comments

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 14, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have never seen a watermelon, I have never eaten a watermelon, and I have never seen the news that watermelon is the new viagra.

Posted by tngeoff on July 14, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What me worry?

Posted by KingsportVol on July 14, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I still can't feel my lips coach.

Posted by invisiblekid on July 14, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course he doesn't.

Posted by GreerVol22 on July 14, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I have never had sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinski."

Posted by tngeoff on July 14, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That of course depends upon what the meaning of the word "is" is.

Posted by TurboFan on July 14, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There's a TV station in Arkansas with call letters KHOG? Unbeweavable.

Posted by rusty_shackleford on July 14, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof."

Posted by marc_ash on July 14, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok president Clinton, I'm not buying what you're selling.

What is the world coming to when you have an idiot with his nose cut off telling folks he still has a nose? Hey Matt Jones's father....the cops found your son cutting up cocaine with a credit card! http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/st...

So, you are telling me that he wasn't in possession because his arm magically flew off of his body to the back of the vehicle to cut up the drugs. Nice.

Some reports also have Jones having had cocaine in his system.

Sad.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on July 14, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Did I do that?" - Steve Urkle, circa 1992

Posted by mparker on July 14, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I bet he cries and falls back on his 'fatith'. for once, I'd like to see a dude stand up and say 'yes, I had cocaine and marijuana, and was having a damn good time. All you hypocrites bashing me while you sit there with your jack daniels, fat butts, nicortine fits, cafeine-fixes, and sugar rushes can blow it!!'

...but it won't happen. Thing is, cocaine and pot aren't 'godd for you' but neither is a lot of other stuff. no way any of this stuff should be felonies.

it really is time for america to grow up, but hell, I guess we never will. and yes, this is from a guy who quit drinking coffee and pop, and has a beer about once a month.

Posted by mparker on July 14, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

butts is okay, asss is not...

pretty funny about kns filtering for 'bad words'

too bad old George Carlin died, the guy was a very good social critic.

ubtttttt, hey,
longlive the stuff stupida------------es. what fun would it be not to have people going 'tak, tak, you should be ashamed'

Posted by arkyvol on July 14, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

to mparker. amen!

Posted by tngeoff on July 14, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is TouchdownTennessee demonstrating his skills in double talk and deception. I have requested he contact Matt to help him out in this situation as he is the only one I know of that can beat this rap:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iLsDvGlIDh0

Posted by ladivolfan on July 14, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jones is a dingleberry.

by the way...i take no responsibilty for that comment.

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sgt Schutzie -"I know nothing".

I am the fourth monkey.

Posted by tngeoff on July 14, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCflorida,

Good one!

Posted by orangebloodgmc on July 14, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm picturing the cat in Shrek II, after the searching officers find the bag of catnip:
"Eez not mine."

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCflorida - you kin to sjt18?

LOL

Posted by nicksjuzunk on July 14, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley,

Let me guess.

#1 John Adams is his "life coach"
#2 He became obsessed with jelly beans and psychotically glued them all over his home like Liberachi's piano.

Am I right???

Posted by marc_ash on July 14, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker,

I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with you on this one. Seems as time progresses our government looks more and more to police what others do. I can fully understand having sanctions on certain things that could potentially harm others. However, I can see where you are coming from with many harmful things being sold that the gov't could care less about.

One of my favorite "laws" are helmet laws. Gotta love how the govn't knows best right?

Posted by RichRollin on July 14, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Steve(Matt Jones' dad), your son looks like a COKEHEAD. Good grief, if he's dumb enough to believe his son here, then he maybe part of the problem. Matt probably tooted up in his bedroom before coming to the dinnertable. Sounds like dad either enables or is just plain stupid!!

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on July 14, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So lemme get this right....THE police CATCH him cutting up some coke with a credit card in a parked vehicle with an aquaitance....AND dad has the nuts to say that his son has no knowledge of any wrongdoing?...LMAO......ummmm...I think dad may have found the stash.....the things people will say....Next thing Ill hear is that LT from the Giants didnt know or have any knowledge either....lol....

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on July 14, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course he claims no responsibility.

His college football coach is responsible, right John Adams...you idiot!

Posted by brdteton on July 14, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was that guys.....

Posted by ctownvol on July 14, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rusty- Advice to live by!

Posted by VolsRyourmaster on July 14, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yea like WMD in Iraq? Or I didnt "Out" one of our OWN... Yea WE SEE THE PICTURE

1-20-09 end of an error

Posted by VolGraduate on July 14, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if it's not your coke then why cut it up? i guess he's that nice. i've personally never cut someone else's coke

Posted by VOLS85 on July 14, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey master, how about you don't make this a political conversation...we come to this site to escape political banter and engage in talk about sports, albeit is usually worthless conversation, it generally does revolve around sports. So go to CNN or drudge and post there if you're not happy with our president...

Posted by GoVol on July 14, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dad must have been the supplier and had to take up for his son to cover his own azz!

Posted by rusty_shackleford on July 14, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc, Interesting link...like it would make any difference! Anyway, Tuscaloosa John used to write about the largest sports franchise in town. Now he writes about golf like a newbie club reporter. Looks like a demotion to me.

Posted by givim6 on July 14, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Pop, take away his credit card! Can't you see that is the problem.

Posted by ggriggs939 on July 14, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Has kns finally realized its people are feasting on the hand that feeds it and them and its subscribers are deserting them in droves?
Even espn commented on the situation a few years back. Maybe the situation is beginning to sink in and some reasignments have been made because the till is getting low.

Posted by brdteton on July 14, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Imagine a 6-5, 230lb 25 yo man: 'It was his, Daddy.'

Class act MJ, glad we beat him in 6 OT's, buzz must of been wearing off.

Posted by mtnsvol44 on July 14, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sure daddy, take up for the little punk and he will go straight in the future. Yeah, right!

Posted by miamiVOL on July 14, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

haha at this, C'mon, you dont get busted with 6 grams of yeyo as a first timer user either, LOL

Posted by orangebloodgmc on July 14, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe Matt's dad should be more like the pro quarterback's dad in Mr. Deeds.

Posted by marc_ash on July 14, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rusty,

Yea, I found it a bit strange. I don't think it will make any difference either. Besides, we are dealing with an award winner in John Adams! He be famous yeee-haw!

Posted by volboy81 on July 14, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

of course hes not taking any responsibility!!! Why would he? It couldnt POSSIBLY be HIS fault?
caught red-handed, in the act, but he didnt do it! (is he originally from Alabama?)

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on July 14, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey JonhAdamsIsTrash, would you get over it already--you're schtik is tired and old and stale after this long and very laffable---you're a sick man!!!

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 14, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent parenting suggestion orangebloodmc:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus...

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 14, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that stinkin dean fulmer shouldnt be peddlin dope to former student athletes

Posted by orangebloodgmc on July 14, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General, yeah, that's it. Thanks for posting the video on how to parent a pro football player.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 14, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Orangebloodmc - no problem. Thanks for the idea.
I've watched every Adam Sandler flick there is out there. Sandler rocks!

Posted by IPOrange on July 14, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck.....

Posted by 02champs on July 14, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gee...i feel for the kid...i really do......................hahahhahahahahahahhaha...sorry, couldn't help it.

Posted by RichRollin on July 14, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General, that was ROCKIN'!!

Posted by pdhuff on July 14, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Your honor, I know it looks strange, but I was putting the TV back thru the window when the officer arrived.

Posted by givim6 on July 15, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Dudes, give Jones a break! Didn't you know he was working as an undercover agent? He was just sniffing around for evidence.

Posted by pearlific on July 16, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it was Fulmer's fault.

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