Most parents will tell you that they’re proud of the accomplishments of their children. However, Arthur Jr. and Camille Jones, have indeed raised one of the most successful athletic families anyone has ever seen.
All three sons are professional athletes, and the most impressive part of it is that their talent ranges across multiple sports.
This Sunday, two of their sons, Art and Chandler, will face each other in the AFC Championship game. In attendance will be their other brother, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones, alongside cousins and friends.
“It is definitely a great moment in sports,” Ravens defensive tackle Art Jones said. “It is unbelievable, we are definitely a blessed family.”
Competition has fueled the Jones brothers from an early age. When asked, Art will tell stories of things constantly being broken around the house and even is prideful to say that he’s never lost a fight with his brothers.
Art, a former two-time New York state wrestling champion in his own right, isn’t letting professionalism get in the way of his brotherly duties of being the eldest of the bunch.
“I talked to him yesterday,” Art said. “We’ve been going back and forth talking crap.”
There has been some doubt as to whether Chandler would be able to play against the Ravens after being forced to leave last week’s game against the Texans with an ankle injury.
Given the magnitude of the game, Art believes his brother will play but hasn’t been able to divulge any additional information.
“I was trying to figure out if he was going to play or not and get the inside scoop,” Art said as he chuckled. “He’s not telling me anything but I think he is going to be out there. He’s a hard-worker.”
The Patriots list him as probable, so it’s likely he’ll be in there.
Chandler is faced with the opportunity to head to the Super Bowl during his rookie season. While Art has yet to reach the NFL’s biggest stage, he’s been to this point before and wants to avenge the Ravens’ loss to the Patriots in last season’s AFC Championship game.
“I’m excited, I’m am not going to lie to you,” he said. “We are in the same exact place as we were last year and everything is right in front of us. I say week-in and week-out it’s a one-week season. If you lose, you’re done.”
Even though he’s primarily focused on the game itself, Art realizes this is a special moment that is pretty rare in professional sports.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I think after the game, when I have time to unwind, it’ll hit me a little harder. Right now, I’m trying to figure out this team the best I can and get going out there and playing hard.”
The brotherly storylines won’t end if the Ravens and 49ers are victorious on Sunday, as brothers Jim and John Harbaugh would coach against each other in the Super Bowl.
Somewhere, you have to believe that Rex and Rob Ryan are jealous at the success unfolding around them as Rob tries to find another job, while Rex is barely holding onto his.
