Hometown Shock
By: J.R. Davis
Updated: July 10, 2008
Former Razorback and current Jacksonville Jaguar, Matt Jones, was arrested on charges of cocaine possession early Thursday morning in Fayetteville. Fayetteville police observed Jones among two others cutting up cocaine with a credit card. He was booked then released on bond.
This is devastating news to hog fans across the state, but especially for folks in the River Valley. Jones was born and raised in Arkansas playing football and basketball at Van Buren High School before transferring to Northside high to play for the Grizzlies. He had a remarkable career at Arkansas and he was drafted in the first round of 2004 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. His success made him the talk of the town, but now people are just talking.
Scott Faldon, Times Record, has covered Jones from high school to the pros and he says he never saw it coming.
"For him to go from nothing and never have been in trouble off the field to felony cocaine possession is a two by four across the face to a lot of fans," says Faldon.
Many fans are hurt and shocked by Jones' arrest, but most hope for the best.
"We all make mistakes, and hopefully he'll end up learning a big lesson from this," said Carl Hirst, a resident of Fort Smith.
Jones' arraignment is set for August 11 and Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver says he's waiting to get all the facts before going forward with any decisions.
