Content provided in partnership with

Q&A: Pacman Jones

Sporting News, The, April 29, 2005 by Katie Koss

West Virginia cornerback Adam "Pacman "Jones always has liked to do things fast, so it's no surprise that he's fast-tracking to the NFL as a college junior who probably will be a top 10 pick. But although he can gobble up 40 yards in 4.41 seconds, it's not the reason he's called Pacman.

TSN: So, how did you get your nickname?

JONES: When I was a baby, I'd usually go to the bottle like a Pac-Man machine, so my mom called me that, and it stuck with me.

TSN: Where do you think you rank among the other corners in this year's draft class?

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

JONES: Oh, I think I'm the top corner.... A lot of guys who are ranked high, they played real easy schemes, and they played with a lot of great folks surrounding them. That's just the main reason. I ain't really been beat. I have more to offer, too.

TSN: What do you think is the greatest strength of your game?

JONES: My speed. I've got great agility, and I always stay around the ball.

TSN: Because you don't have great height (5-9 1/2), do you have to play differently against taller receivers?

JONES: Yeah. I prefer taller receivers to shorter receivers anyway because I can get my hands on them a little bit more and just hit them when they're breaking into their routes.

TSN: What are your goals heading into your rookie season?

JONES: Get a starting position; be rookie of the year. Just handle my side of the field--lock down my side.

TSN: Do you talk a lot with opponents on the field, or are you just out there getting business done?

JONES: Oh, I jaw a little bit. I talk to them and see what they're talking about first. But if I can get in their head, I'll talk to them the whole game.

TSN: What has been your favorite moment on the field?

JONES: My first game, I ran a touchdown the wrong way. That was funny. You know, I was only 6 years old, so I always laugh about it.

TSN: At West Virginia, you returned both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown. But in a game against Central Florida, a punter kept you out of the end zone on a return. Was that one of your more embarrassing moments in college?

JONES: Oh yeah, it's got to be because I was on like the 2-yard line.... He never caught up with me; he was just sitting back there waiting. And as I broke, I cut across field, and he came out of nowhere. I didn't even see him, and he foot-clipped me.

TSN: Can you talk a little about the neighborhood you grew up in?

JONES: I lived in a neighborhood called Boat Rock, which was one of the projects in Atlanta. Tough projects. And I've seen a lot of things ... people getting killed. It was a rough neighborhood. Then I moved; they tore it down, it got so bad. We moved to Washington Road; that was no better. So I'm blessed. 1 beat the odds, and God does miracles.

TSN: In college, your major was athletic coaching education, with a minor in special education. What do you want to do when your playing days are over?

JONES: I want to get my own little seminar for special-ed kids, where people can drop their kids off for a weekend, a couple of days. It should be at a big facility with a pool, a couple of games, just a lot of stuff they can do while they're there. I think I can touch people like that. I did it when I was at school not too long ago.... I went bowling with them two, three days of the week and did it a whole semester. So I enjoy doing it.

TSN: who was your favorite NFL player when you were growing up?

JONES: I would say Deion (Sanders) was probably my favorite player. I just liked the way he played, with high emotions. You know, he always seemed happy on the field. That's like me; I always stay happy. I love having fun on the field.

TSN: What are you most excited about as far as finally getting to the NFL?

JONES: Training camp. I'm just ready to start playing football and seeing what the level of competition is up there.

Q&A: Pacman Jones

Sporting News, The, April 29, 2005 by Katie Koss

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Arts

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports