LA’s Jones Named SIFL Lineman of the Year
written by Jessica Lantz
John Paul Jones, lineman for the Louisiana Swashbucklers and recently named Lineman of the Year for the Southern Indoor Football League, considers himself part of the Louisiana community.
Hailing from Lafayette, Jones played college football at McNeese State University, after being recruited to play for LSU and later transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette. He considers his time at McNeese a great experience, giving him a chance to play and excel at the collegiate level, even reaching the national championship game. After graduation from college, Jones was set to give up the game of football and retire from the sport to focus on his family and his young son.
It wasn’t until Swashbuckler’s head coach Darnell Lee paid him a living room visit to discuss the pros and cons of indoor football and the benefits of playing for the Bucs that Jones was excited to play football again. Jones’ transition to the indoor game has brought benefits that he didn’t anticipate-fan support and community interaction.
The indoor game gives the Swashbuckler fans a chance to “interact, talk, love and appreciate” the players. The players aren’t the only ones that are appreciated. This interaction goes a long way to boost the players as well. “it’s a pleasure to play for the wonderful fan who you see in the community, who want to see you do well on the field and in life” Jones says, “who supported me not only here, but also at McNeese.”
Jones has been heavily involved in the community during his time with the Bucs, helping at a women’s shelter and reading to area children. Being a part of these activities has “taught [Jones] about being a man and growing up” and finding a new place to thrive in society. This community involvement also contributed to Jones’ recent new career path as a juvenile probation officer and leads him to ponder that perhaps he is “doing this to help the next kid reach his goals and dreams”.
His sense of community is not reserved only for the fans, but also for his team. When talking about the Swashbucklers he says, “they’re a part of this community-a part of my life”, together not only on the field of play but also as they lead their lives on the Louisiana bayou.
http://www.southernifl.com/news/2009-07-22/las-jones-named-sifl-lineman-of-the-year.html
