Patriots Pro Bowl DL Chandler Jones: 'I Made A Mistake'
JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots defensive lineman Chandler Jones apologized to his teammates and the New England fans on Thursday for "a pretty stupid mistake" that sent him, shirtless and disoriented, to a local police station. Police who went to his house said it smelled like burning marijuana.
Appearing in the New England locker room with two minutes left in the team's last media availability of the week, the Pro Bowl pass rusher declined to answer most questions and said he was focusing on Saturday's playoff game against the Chiefs.
According to police records released earlier Thursday, Jones showed up at the back door of the Foxborough Police station at about 7:40 a.m. on Sunday. "Without any warning or provocation," Jones dropped to his knees and locked his hands behind his head, according to a write-up of the incident by officer David J. Foscaldo.
"Mr. Jones was unable to provide us with a plausible or legitimate explanation as to why he had gone to the rear door of our police station," the officer wrote. "It was quite evident that Mr. Jones was desperately seeking our assistance, and he had not certainly committed any crimes."
Jones was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was admitted and released the same day. An officer who went to Jones' house to retrieve the player's keys commented on the smell of marijuana, the report said.
Marijuana use is banned by the NFL. A first violation results in the player being referred to the league's substance abuse program, but no fine or suspension.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to comment on whether the league would investigate or impose discipline.
In his first media comments since the incident, Jones did not elaborate on what happened Sunday. Standing at his locker in a Patriots sweatshirt, he said he was trying to focus on the divisional playoff game and "be the best No. 95 I can be."
Asked if he felt the need to apologize to his teammates, Jones said, "I feel the need to apologize to everyone."
The Patriots said Jones did not miss any practice or meetings this week. Coach Bill Belichick also declined to comment earlier Thursday on whether Jones would be benched for his behavior.
"We'll find out on Saturday," the coach said dismissively. "I can just Xerox you a copy of the game plan, you can send it over to Kansas City. That might be easier for all of us."
Belichick opened his Thursday media availability by saying his primary concern was Jones' health. He then sidestepped nine more questions about Jones.
"I mean, are there any more questions about the Chiefs here?" the coach said before getting a question about Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce. "The rest of it, I'm done talking about. We issued a statement, that's it."
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