By Mark Eckel, Player Engagement Insider
Chris Jones, the New England Patriots’ big defensive tackle, still feels the emotion when the play is mentioned.
It was Super Bowl XLIX, the Patriots led 28-24, but the Seattle Seahawks were at the one-yard line with seconds to go.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson dropped back to pass, the Patriots’ Malcolm Butler intercepted and the Patriots won their fourth Super Bowl.
“Any time I think of that moment, or someone asks me about that play, I get chills still,’’ Jones, who was on the field for the play, said. “Honestly, we knew what was going to happen. And our coaches knew what was going to happen. You can see it on the film. We had practiced that so many times before.’’
Jones, who was originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2013 draft, was cut by both the Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers his rookie year. He landed in New England and his career took off.
Getting to the Super Bowl was the pinnacle of a career headed in the right direction.
“I’m blessed and was fortunate enough to make it to the Super Bowl in my second year,’’ Jones said. “That was always my goal, after making it to the NFL, to play in a Super Bowl. When you’re growing up as a kid you dream of that moment, to play in a Super Bowl. Then, when you’re actually there, all those dreams as a kid come back to you. It’s a little overwhelming. It makes you fall in love with the game again and again.’’
Playing for the Patriots, and head coach Bill Belichick, players are prepared for the biggest game of their lives, both on and off the field.
“The coaching staff did a great job keeping us level-headed and prepared,’’ Jones said. “Stay focused on the game and not the hype. And there’s a lot of hype from your friends to everything going around you. But Bill and Matt P (defensive coordinator Patricia) they really kept us level- headed.
“Media day was crazy. I knew there would be a lot of stuff going on, but it was even more than I thought. Some guys are at podiums, but the rest of us were just kind of strolling around, and at one point I’m by myself and then all of a sudden there are a bunch of guys interviewing me. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. But it was a fun. It was a neat experience.’’
After the week of crazy, came the game.
“I remember just warming up on my own before the game, before team drills, I saw everything with Super Bowl on it and it hit me then,’’ Jones said. “This is it. It was a pretty cool feeling.’’
And then, with the game on the line, the ball at the one, Jones’ defense made the play to win the game.
“Going out there, knowing they’re at the one-yard line, positioned to score, they have (running back) Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, you kind of think they’re going to run,’’ Jones said. “But our reads told us they’re not going to run the ball.’’
They didn’t. The Patriots made the play. And Jones was the first to celebrate.
“There are pictures of me jumping up in the air, as other guys are running,’’ Jones said. “I’m the only one jumping. My teammates tell me I was the first one to realize we just won the Super Bowl.
“It was my first championship ever in sports. To finally have that feeling, the rush of emotion is unreal. Now, for me, I understand what it takes to get there. I think for the older guys and (Patriots quarterback)Tom (Brady) that’s what they say. Now, I know. I’m more prepared mentally to get it done.’’