Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones on Wednesday announced via social media that his father, Alvin Jones Sr., with whom he had a close relationship, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 57.
In that same post, he turned to God for comfort. “God’s got us,” the post reads at the end:
View this post on Instagram
Both of Jones’ parents served in the Army, and Aaron and his twin brother, Alvin Jr. (who played with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 and 2019), spent the majority of their lives in El Paso, Texas, while their parents were stationed at Fort Bliss. Aaron would often join his father at physical training sessions, and he volunteered at a number of youth military events.
He watched how his father handled himself and credits his father for helping him become the man he is now. Jones has shared about how grateful he is that his father was there for him his entire life.
“I still remember when my father told me that he had grown up without a father,” Jones wrote for The Players Tribune in June. “I was only five or six at the time. He told us that he was so involved in our lives because he had never met his own dad.
“When he started having kids he’d told himself that he was going to do everything in his power to show his children what a man is supposed to be like, and how he’s supposed to take care of his children. And he continued to remind me and my twin brother, Alvin, about that fact all throughout our childhood.”
Jones credits his father for teaching him about faith in God as well.
“My dad is the greatest man I’ve ever encountered,” Jones wrote in The Players Tribune. “The things he’s done for me in my life — he’s been there every step of the way. He taught me everything. He taught me to keep God first — that with God, anything is possible. He taught me to believe in myself. He showed me how a man’s supposed to be a man.”
Jones stayed in El Paso to play college football and is UTEP’s all-time leading rusher with 4,114 yards. He ranks seventh on Conference USA’s all-time rushing list.
He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Just two years later, he was the NFL’s co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 and in 2020 he was named to the Pro Bowl.
Alvin Jones hadn’t missed one of Aaron’s games in nine years, Aaron wrote.
“Can’t even imagine game days without you by my side,” Jones wrote on Instagram. “Haven’t missed a game in 9 years and it scares me to think about it but I know you have the best seat in the stadium and you’re forever engraved in me and I’ll (sic) I’ll carry our Name high and be great like you’ve pushed me all my life!”
Aaron and Alvin Jr. run a foundation called A&A All The Way, which seeks to provide for children and parents navigating challenges with basic needs, provide recreation and fitness opportunities for children, and support children in military families.
“We lost one of the most selfless, caring, strong, faithful individuals in Mr Alvin Jones Sr.,” the foundation posted on Twitter. “Nothing was more important than God, family and giving back. Please keep the Jones family in your prayers.”
We lost one of the most selfless, caring, strong, faithful individuals in Mr Alvin Jones Sr. Nothing was more important than God, family and giving back. Please keep the Jones family in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/3BmFguBvyS
— A&A All The Way Foundation (@AAAllTheWayFdn) April 7, 2021
Please join us in praying for the Jones family as well.
RELATED STORIES:
— Packers punter JK Scott keeps faith in Christ ahead of NFC championship game
— Jordy Nelson puts faith in God as he officially retires as member of Green Bay Packers
— 49ers QB C.J. Beathard credits God for incredible performance 1 year after brother’s death
— Amy Olson relies on Lord’s strength, finishes strong at U.S. Open after father-in-law’s death
