Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/140522
A By Wes Morgan Dayne Crist as the starter and turning to stoic TJ Jones stood there as sophomore Tommy Rees at halftime versus Notre Dame head football coach South Florida, Jones sorted through a haze Brian Kelly came unglued, turned of emotions while trying to focus on his role Concerto burgundy (according within a developing offense. In part, Jones' to the Sherwin-Williams color pedestrian numbers in 2011 were due to the guide), strung together scorching and exfact that there were only scraps left over pletive-laced sentences and verbally flogged from senior star wideout Michael Floyd, the receiver for a dropped pass that led to an who left at the end of the year having broken interception. every major receiving record at the school. It was the season opener against South Support flooded in from everywhere — Florida on Sept. 3, 2011, when Jones was his teammates, coaches, former associate a sophomore and Kelly was the program's director of student welfare Keith Embray, second-year leader melting down on national and his father's teammates, including Pat television with the Bulls leading 16-0 in the Terrell and Jones' godfather, Raghib Ismail. third quarter. With the Fighting Irish mountWith Floyd in the National Football ing a charge, the first-and-goal at the 5-yard League in 2012, it was Jones' turn to step line turned into a fist-and-grimace tirade by out of Floyd's shadow. Kelly that went viral on the Internet and was Just as he did the previous season, Jones discussed to death on talked to his deceased television and sports "There's a big responsibility that father before every talk radio. prayed and comes with not only helping the game, work hunting Notre Dame would went to younger guys, but getting every- a championship ring go on to lose that game, as well as four one's work ethic on the same page. like the one he'd slip others, en route to a A lot of that has to do with age and off his dad's finger second consecutive and spin around his maturity. I'm going to do everything own as a child. 8-5 season. I can to help the offense." Kelly's core temWith each passing perature eventually week in 2012, when Jones dropped back into the he made 50 catches safe zone by 2012, when he made an effort for 649 yards and four touchdowns, the posto curb sideline eruptions. Jones remained sibility of reaching that goal became more his cool, unflappable self. After all, football and more realistic. Of course, Alabama wasn't life or death. had other plans for the undefeated and topThat Jones was even in an Irish uniform ranked Irish in Miami on Jan. 7, 2013. in 2011, finishing with 38 receptions for 366 Notre Dame's touted defense provided yards and three touchdowns, was an example little resistance against an experienced and of pure resolve. Only nine weeks before the balanced Crimson Tide outfit that wouldn't infamous encounter with Kelly, Jones' fabe denied. The Irish offense never saw dayther, former Notre Dame outside linebacker light from the pit it found itself in within the Andre Jones, died from a brain aneurysm. first 16 minutes. He was just 42 years old. TJ Jones, the secJones understood better than most of his ond oldest of six children, contemplated reteammates what had just eluded them. Still, turning home to Georgia to help a shattered as others sobbed uncontrollably in the locker family in any way he could. room after the 42-14 defeat, he remained He ultimately chose to honor his father, composed. who was part of the 1988 national champi"It wasn't a heartbreaker," he said, "we onship team, through his play on the very just got blown out. … This is a learning situsame field. ation. We've got to take what we did today "There were times I wanted to quit," he and next year not do the same thing. You admitted last season. "Times I wanted to go play with a chip on your shoulder and with home. My mother told me no. There were something to prove." times where it didn't seem like there was Early this spring, Notre Dame receivers a reason to do a lot of the things that I've coach Mike Denbrock wanted more from done." Jones than catching balls, making blocks Jones broke out as a freshman in 2010, and now even possibly returning punts. It catching 23 passes for 306 yards and three was to be one of the last steps in what was scores — with one TD in each of his first already an accelerated maturation for the two games. While Notre Dame sorted 5-11, 192-pounder. through quarterbacks, opening the year with Little did Denbrock know at the time how important further developing Jones' leaderJones enters his senior campaign with 111 career ship would be this season for the Fighting catches for 1,321 yards and 10 touchdowns. photo by Bill Panzica Irish offense. It was announced in late May Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview ✦ 55 54-57.TJ Jones.indd 55 6/25/13 12:16 PM