GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones will be keeping his late father closer to his heart.
Packers equipment manager Gordon “Red” Batty created a pocket inside his jersey that can hold the ashes of Alvin Jones without them falling out, ESPN reported.
“He put a pocket right on the left side,” Aaron Jones told reporters, pointing to his heart. “So I can just drop it in there and not have to worry about it falling out. So I can play with it.”
Aaron Jones had been wearing a medallion with his father’s ashes. Alvin Jones Sr. died in April due to complications from COVID-19, according to WBAY. The elder Jones was 56, ESPN reported.
During a Week 2 Monday night game against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 20, the running back had a banner night, scoring four touchdowns -- three receiving, a first for a Green Bay running back since 1942, WBAY reported.
However, during the game, Aaron Jones lost the medallion.
“If there was any place to lose it, that’s where my dad would’ve wanted me to lose it,” Aaron Jones said the Packers’ 35-17 victory. “So, I know he’s smiling.”
The medallion was later found on the Lambeau Field turf -- in the end zone, of course -- by Packers athletic trainer Bryan Engel, according to Bleacher Report.
Jones had the ashes with him in the Packers’ 30-28 victory in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, WMAQ reported. Jones said he plans to continue to carry them.
“I think it’s something I’ll continue to do, just keep my dad with me everywhere I go,” Jones told reporters. “I wear it mostly at all times. Gotta get a new chain so I haven’t been wearing it except for on Sundays, but I think it’s definitely something I’ll continue to do.”
The Packers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Jones plans to wear the special jersey.