SUMMARY
- In an interview with TMZ, Jon Jones talked about why he was not good at football.
- Previously, Jones also played basketball.
Jon Jones is irrefutably one of the best fighters on the planet and one of the GOATs of MMA. Throughout his legendary tenure, the fighter has broken numerous records as well. Whilst his fighting skills may be undeniable, what can be said about his athletic abilities in other sports? Let’s find out.
For those unaware, Jon stands at a massive 6 ft 4 inches, boasting a now-broken UFC record 84.5-inch reach as well. Thus, many would consider him to be an ‘athletically gifted’ individual. Whilst the fans have seen him utilize these gifts inside the Octagon, it is natural to wonder how Jones would fare against his brothers in other sports like basketball or football. Taking a closer look at the matter, the results are rather surprising.
There has often been the question of who among the Jones brothers would win in a fight. Whilst Chandler and Arthur will fancy their chances, Jon will naturally come out on top. But what about football? Can the UFC champion hold a candle to his Super Bowl-winning brothers? Judging by his mostly skinny frame and legs, the answer is a resounding no, and he admits the same himself.
Speaking in an interview with TMZ, ‘Bones‘ revealed, “I absolutely sucked on the football field. I was no good at all. I didn’t play until my senior year I was always on the team, but I never got to play”. Further, he added, “I sucked at football. I made a hell of a benchwarmer, though”. Notably, the fans have also seen Jon try his hand at basketball in the past, which wasn’t a pretty sight either.
Jon Jones’ older brother, Arthur Jones
For those unaware, Arthur Jones, born in 1986, is a year older than Jon Jones. Having attended Syracuse University, Arthur was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens in the 5th round and signed to a 3-year deal. Drafted in 2010, the eldest Jones brother played for eight seasons as a defensive end.
During his noteworthy career in the NFL, Arthur Jones became the Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. Notably, he also made multiple appearances in First-team All-Big East. In 2011, Arthur had his breakthrough season, playing 14 games. In his solitary start, the defensive end made 20 tackles. Additionally, he was also a part of the Ravens team that reached the 2012 Super Bowl finals for the second time in their history.
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As for the game itself, Arthur registered a crucial sack on 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Eventually, the game would end 34-31, in the Ravens’ favor, winning Jones his first and only Super Bowl ring. Later on, he faced many setbacks with injuries and was even suspended for PED usage in 2016. Eventually, the now-37-year-old announced his retirement in 2017, closing out his career playing with the Washington Redskins.
What do we know about Chandler Jones?
Coming to the youngest brother, we have Chandler Jones, who is younger than Jon Jones by three years. Notably, just like his eldest brother Arthur, Chandler is also a graduate of Syracuse University. Impressively, he was drafted into the NFL in the very first round by the New England Patriots in 2012. Throughout his career, he has also played for the Arizona Cardinals (2016-2021), and then the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 for a $51 million contract.
Throughout his career, the defensive end has achieved many accolades. Notably, he was also the Super Bowl Champion in 2014, made multiple appearances in the First Team All-Pro, and also made it into the NFL 2010s All-Decade team. Standing at 6 ft 5 in, Chandler has a remarkable presence, one that has prompted many to ask about a potential career in fighting.
Notably, in an interview with TMZ, Chandler said, “He (Jon) will never lose, but I could beat his a**.” Further, he followed it up by saying, “I’d beat Jon Bones’ a**, and he knows that!” All jokes aside, the 33-year-old holds his elder brother in high regard and has often hailed him as the best fighter ever. Moreover, he also defended Jon’s reputation as a ‘dirty fighter’ in an interview with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.
Previously, there were numerous questions regarding the health and safety of Chandler as well. Owing to his outbursts and reportedly breaking a domestic violence protection order, many suggested that he was undergoing mental issues, resulting in him being taken to a hospital and then to a behavioral health facility. Additionally, he also had an infamous meltdown on a live stream, causing a lot of worry for him on social media.