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21st Sep 2021

Aaron Jones loses father’s ashes while scoring touchdown

Daniel Brown

He wore a pendant containing his father’s ashes

Aaron Jones paid tribute to his late father as the running back scored four touchdowns in the Green Bay Packers’ victory over the Detroit Lions.

The 26-year-old, playing in his first game at Lambeau Field since his father – Alvin Jones Sr – sadly died in April, wore a pendant that contained his dad’s ashes, which came off after Jones’ second touchdown. 

“He’d be happy,” Jones said afterwards. “He’d be like, ‘if you lose it any way, lose it in the end zone’.”

Jones Sr, who passed away aged 57 during the close season, had not missed one of his son’s matches in nine years. 

At half-time, the Green Bay Packers were trailing 17-14. However, a 21-0 run in the second period ensured that the Packers secured a 35-17 win against the Lions, with last season’s MVP Aaron Rodgers throwing for four touchdowns.

The victory has helped to overcome the disappointment of the heavy 38-3 loss at the hand of the New Orleans Saints in the first week of the season. 

Jones scored three receiving touchdowns and one rushing in the game, continuing to impress after signing a new four-year deal back in March, worth $48million [£34.5million]

In doing so, he became the first running back in franchise history to score three receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in a single game, per NFL Research.

The Packers’ next fixtures comes on Sunday when they visit the San Francisco 49ers, who are one of only seven to start the campaign with a 2-0 record.

Whilst Jones’ pendant had still not been found even after the game had finished, the running back can be proud of the part he played in his side’s triumph. 

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