MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Here is an uplifting story to begin your week!
Former West Virginia University cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones told Shannon Sharpe during a tearful Zoom interview last week that he adopted Chris Henry's two sons earlier this year.
Henry and Jones were teammates at WVU and both played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, but at different times during their careers. Henry died Dec. 17, 2009 after falling off the back of a pickup truck in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In cooperation with the mother of Henry's two sons, Loleini Tonga, Jones has had a hand in raising the two boys, according to a story posted on the Bengals' SB Nation website Cincy Jungle. In addition to Henry's two sons, Jones is also the father of three children of his own.
Henry was Cincinnati's third round pick in 2005 and played 55 games over five seasons with the Bengals, catching a career-best 36 passes for 605 yards and nine touchdowns during his second season in 2006. He had 119 career catches for 1,826 yards and 21 touchdowns during his brief professional career.
Jones didn't arrive in Cincinnati until a year after Henry's death. The two became good friends while they played together for Rich Rodriguez at WVU.
Jones' 12-year NFL career ended in 2018 in Denver. He appeared in 146 career games with Tennessee, Dallas, Cincinnati and Denver while making one Pro Bowl appearance with the Bengals in 2015.
Jones was named to the NFL's All-Rookie team in 2005 and he also earned first team All-Pro honors in 2014.
In addition to what he made during his 12-year playing career, Jones is also eligible for the NFL's full pension plan which, according to the website Sportskeeda, means at least $5,600 per month for the rest of his life and likely more since the most recent CBA agreement was ratified by the NFL players association in 2020.
Earlier this year, Jones was invited to talk to the West Virginia University football team via Zoom about his life experiences growing up in Atlanta and his professional football career.
Indeed, Pacman Jones has a heart of gold!
Here is the link to the full story on the Bengals' SB Nation: https://www.cincyjungle.com/2021/9/5/22655964/adam-jones-reveals-he-adopted-chris-henrys-sons