In a heart-warming gesture, Adam 'Pacman' Jones took out a full page ad in The Tennessean yesterday to print an open letter apologizing for behavior that led to his full season suspension. In it, he talks about the misunderstood mistakes he's made over the past few years, and promises to meet the expectations that his teammates and fans have come to have of him. He also promised to go back to WVU to finish his degree and to set up a scholarship fund for walk-on players.
"You know, it just feels good to give something back to the system that made it possible for me to make millions of dollars to play a game. I thought I was already giving back in that club in Las Vegas, but when my lawyers suggested this, I was like, 'wow, dude, I never thought of that.' To give back to the university I went to and to other young players, on top of the idea of getting a degree. I mean, that was the last thing on my mind when I was in school...you know, a degree. I just hope I can do it in 6 months or so, because I think this is going to get me back on the field by late November, early December."
Although Titan's coach Jeff Fisher declined comment, Titans fans were not at a loss for words. "I think it's great that he did that. To take out a full page ad to apologize to little ole me. Wow, he's got my vote. And I heard he paid for it with his own money. That's, like, over $11,000. He must be serious about cleaning up his act shelling out that kind of dough." Another fan responded in kind. "How many star football players have you seen actually apologize for their arrests? So he bit a cop. He hasn't been charged with nothin', so why should he apologize? But here he is, bein' a class act and writing an apology for it to all of us fans. And to take out a full page ad on top a that. Just goes to show you what a pro athlete can be capable of."
Although Commissioner Goodell could not be reached for comment, an employee of his spoke on condition of anonymity. "Well, this gesture changes everything, obviously. I mean, we knew Pacman was going to be bummed out about missing a whole season, but we had no idea he was so sorry for being in so much trouble with the law. You forget that he actually didn't want to be arrested those 5 times, or to be involved in 10 incidences in the past 2-3 years. I predict Roger will rethink his punishment, and maybe cut it to half a season, maybe even a couple games, without arbitration." When asked if he believed this was too little too late, he had this to say. "Look, we all make mistakes in life. The important thing is to apologize for them and to promise to be better. That's all you can do. I have no reason to doubt the guy, especially if he took out a full page ad. That right there should tell you how serious he is about changing his ways. Haven't you ever given anybody an 11th chance?"
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