Justin Jones harnesses his challenging history to support children in the Chicago area.
Justin Jones is deeply committed to teaching crucial life lessons, including leadership, the definition of manhood, and facing adversity head-on. These values are not only significant to him but also concepts he strives to instill in children in the Chicago area who may lack positive role models.
Jones has been nominated as the Chicago Bears' representative for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award this year, largely due to his extensive community engagement. A notable aspect of his community involvement is his active participation in Youth Guidance's "Becoming a Man" program, known as BAM. In this program, Jones mentors boys aged seven to twelve on a one-on-one basis. Youth Guidance's program aims to help these young individuals develop social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future, and become positive contributors to their schools and communities.
Jones is particularly passionate about this cause because he grew up without a father figure. Raised by a single mother in Georgia, he learned resilience and the importance of providing for one's family from her. However, when the time came for him to become a father himself upon the birth of his daughter Kamiah three years ago, Jones felt uncertain. Lacking a father figure to guide him, he decided to draw inspiration from the positive role models he admired in his life and piece together his own version of what it means to be a father.
One central figure in Jones' concept of fatherhood is his former strength coach from NC State, Dantonio Burnette, known as Coach Thunder. Burnette was a strong family man who, during a pivotal period in Jones' life, imparted essential life lessons. He not only talked about these values but also exemplified them through his actions. An impactful moment was when Burnette invited Jones over for Thanksgiving, providing him with a firsthand look at how he treated his family and spoke to his wife. Jones was deeply impressed by Burnette's qualities as a father and used these lessons to construct his own vision of fatherhood.
Jones didn't just learn about family values from Burnette; he also gained insights into courage and the importance of addressing challenging situations, even when it feels intimidating. Burnette taught him effective communication and how to channel emotions constructively. Importantly, Burnette emphasized that it's acceptable for a man to express his emotions, countering the stereotypes associated with toxic masculinity.
Jones strongly believes that teaching young men how to process their emotions in a healthy manner is crucial in today's world. He strives to convey this message to the boys he mentors in the BAM program. Additionally, he sees the opportunity to inspire young men who may be going through difficult times, guiding them towards a brighter future even when the present seems bleak.
Drawing from his own life experiences, Jones encourages these young individuals to remain resilient in the face of adversity. He shares the story of how his family lost their house due to flooding in 2010, and how his mother, as the primary provider for the family, had to rebuild their lives from scratch. Witnessing her strength and determination in those challenging times left a profound impact on him.
Now, as a father himself to a son named Jru Maurice Jones, born just two days ago, Jones looks forward to passing down these valuable life lessons to the next generation. His initial nervousness about becoming a father has transformed into excitement, and he relishes the journey of parenthood with his partner by his side.
The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be announced on February 6th.
| POLL | ||
7 DECEMBRE | 23 ANSWERS Justin Jones harnesses his challenging history to support children in the Chicago area. Will the Bears win a Super Bowl in the next 3 years? | ||
| Yes | 10 | 43.5 % |
| no | 13 | 56.5 % |
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