The Ballad of Pacman Jones

Adam Jones is a talented NFL defensive back. His nickname is Pacman because as a child he used to drink milk with the voracious aplomb of the video game character. But this is not what this story is about.

This story is about the Pacman of right now.

Last year, Pacman showed loads of promise both as a cornerback and as a return man. Pacman was making money in great amounts. The world looked bright and limitless. Chomp Chomp Chomp Chomp.

But things were not as bright as they seemed. For Pacman, as a grown up, had turned his documented appetite from milk to strippers, gambling, brawling and disorderly conduct of various kinds. This, unfortunately, has left him on the wrong side of the law. Six times in the last two-plus years. Despite is obvious talents and far-reaching potential, the ghosts seem to be emerging from the box at the center of his soul. Chomp, chomp, wah-wah-wah.

In addition to his six arrests, Pacman has been questioned by police in five other cases, and have said they are interested in talking with him about a June 18^th shooting in Georgia. So, there are twelve cases in which Pacman is either accused of breaking the law (in some cases, to the grievous injury of others—one incident in Las Vegas left a person paralyzed) or of being around when a particular law was broken.

Given this list of a dozen unfortunate incidents, the NFL saw fit to discipline Pacman (aware as it is of the power its players have as role models). Prior to meeting with the Commissioner of the NFL—the most important meeting thus far in his professional life—Pacman went to a strip club, the scene of several of his incidents. The NFL suspended him for the whole season. It was an unprecedented action, but then, being arrested six times in two years carries very little precedent itself.

So, Pacman will be sitting out this year, and has said he is committed to proving that he deserves another chance. He has demonstrated that commitment by agreeing to wrestle for the Total Nonstop Action—that’s TNA—event “Hard Justice”, in potential violation of his contract with the NFL. The following are quotes taken from Pacman’s statements about the start of his wrestling career:

On wrestling:

"I don't know what you all want me to do. Just sit in the house and be miserable all day? I can't do that. I have to keep my spirits up high. I have a whole family to take care of."

Speaking for the world, I would like to say that we never wanted Pacman to sit in his house and be miserable all day.

“I haven't been arrested six times. I've only been arrested twice. I've been accused and people have put warrants out on me numerous other times, but as of today I'm on no probation, I haven't been charged with anything, so I'm just keeping my head up and make sure I'm doing everything to make sure I'm all right with myself."

Records appear to be at odds with Pacman, but he seems to be on top of the difference between ‘arrests’ and ‘warrants’.

To be fair, Pacman has said that he has spent some time at the Boys and Girls club, and has helped to build a home for a Nashville police officer that is paralyzed. He is apparently trying to get back on top. And for those doubters, for those that don’t seem to understand his inexplicable behavior?

"You don't know me ... Nobody knows me ... misunderstood. Nobody knows who I am. A player, a gamebreaker, a risk taker, a man.”

Adam Jones is a risk-taking, game-breaking man--just trying to salvage his very tenuous, multi-million dollar career while balancing court and wrestling appearances. Adam Jones is just a man. Just a man trying to get a pellet in this world, while trying to outrun the many inky and blinky ghosts that follow him still.