Patriots QB Mac Jones puts focus on off-field endeavors
Mac Jones has moved on from all of the offseason drama surrounding the Patriots. From the rumors about the organization wanting to trade Jones and upgrade the quarterback position to the contradictory remarks between owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick. It’s been an unusual offseason, to say the least, but Jones has moved on and is ready for a fresh start in 2023.
One of the ways Jones has chosen to take his mind off the field is by being a constant presence in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America throughout New England with his girlfriend, Sophie Scott. Together, Jones and Scott were named honorary members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro South after making his third appearance in the area.
Last year, Jones made his first semblance in the community at the Boys and Girls Club of Brockton, sharing his time with kids to give out footballs and other gifts in addition to a $100,000 check to help the Brockton organization continue their success in providing an outlet for kids in the community.
"“Obviously, a day like today takes your mind off football, and you get to enjoy the kids. I look at role models that I had, and hopefully, I can be that for some people here today. I’m sure some people were here last year, and you get to see them grow a little bit, and it’s just cool to see kids turning into young adults. So, I’m excited to see the kids, and just tell them to have fun and enjoy everything and focus on school and doing the right things, and everything will work out.”"
This isn’t the first impact Jones has made in the community, however, since being with the Patriots. Last season, he partnered with the Gerald and Darlene Jordan Club in Chelsea to create his My Cause My Cleats, an initiative in the NFL for players to create and design a pair of cleats to wear in a game and eventually auction off, giving all of the proceeds to their respective causes.
Jones’ “cause” of choice was, in fact, the Boys and Girls Club of America at the Gerald and Darlene Jordan Club, where he surprised the kids at an after-school program to proudly share the news. He also invited all of them to be the Patriots’ representatives for the NFL Play 60 against the New York Jets last year.
"“Helping younger people is what my passion is, whether they like sports or not, to help them reach their dreams. There’s a lot of good kids here that need guidance, but that’s all they really need. They have good hearts. Just talking with them today, meeting some of them, it is really cool to see all of them playing together and competing, having fun.”"
Jones, more than anybody, will benefit from some positive time away from football after the offseason he went through of trade rumors and speculation, and visiting the Boys and Girls Clubs throughout New England seems to be the outlet he needs for himself.