Jones apparently approached the police-only entrance of the Foxboro police station shirtless, and fell to the ground outside of the station in a manner that appeared to be part of a praying ritual. On Tuesday, after the Boston Herald first reported about Jones, the Patriots released the following statement: “Chandler Jones was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and released that day”.
Advertisement
When the Patriots defense took the field for the first series Saturday, Chandler Jones was lined up at defensive end.
“Beyond that, Chandler has spoken publicly about that situation now, and he said he did something really stupid, apologized, acted contrite, and I think I’m going to leave it at that”.
Jones started for the Patriots, who were hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.
Last season at Kansas City, when quarterback Tom Brady was 14 of 23 with two interceptions, Gronkowski had two catches for 31 yards.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Thursday that health and safety of players and staff is his top priority.
Jones spoke briefly with reporters today, saying he “made a pretty stupid mistake this weekend”. “I knew I could get out there and compete with the boys”. “Obviously, I’ve been through some injuries and I’m telling you, it’s just not easy to come back right in midseason and just have a performance like that”.
Jones: “Like I said, I understand the question, I do”. The account, though not a formal police report, sheds more light on Jones’s hospitalization, reportedly for a bad reaction to smoking synthetic weed. “It was quite evident that Mr. Jones was desperately seeking our assistance, and he had not certainly committed any crimes”. In audio of the police dispatch, Jones’ condition was described Sunday as a “medical emergency” as he was referred to as a “confused party”.
Jones appeared in the New England locker room with 2 minutes left in the media availability.
Advertisement
When pressed for further comment on the Jones issue, or how any other distraction might affect the Patriots, Belichick said, “Are there any more questions about the Chiefs?”.
