After 14 NFL seasons that are better remembered for what occurred off the field rather than on the field, Adam Jones has officially called it a career.
According to 247 Sports, Jones announced his retirement on Thursday night via an Instagram story.
"This is an official letter," Jones said in the video, per 247 Sports. "It's official that I'm done with the NFL."
On Friday afternoon, Jones released a statement to confirm his retirement.
"How do I start my next chapter? Well, I start by first turning the page and closing out one of the most thrilling chapters of my life," he wrote. "A chapter that started as just a dream from a kid from Boat Rock. A dream that became a reality with the blessings of God Almighty, hard work, the dedication to not give up and a village of prayer warriors surrounding me.
"I stand tall and proud as I announce that this beautiful life-changing ride that I have been on in the National Football League has come to an end, I'm officially hanging my cleats up, with no regrets!"
The sixth-overall pick of the Titans in 2005, Jones, who went by the nickname "Pacman," wound up playing for four teams throughout his career, most notably the Bengals from 2010-17. In his career, the cornerback/return man notched 17 interceptions, 435 solo tackles, one Pro Bowl selection, and one first-team All-Pro nod.
But he'll be remembered for what transpired away from the field. In USA Today's database that tracks NFL player arrests, Jones' name is listed for incidents in 2005, 2006 (four), 2007, 2011, 2013 (two), and again in 2017. The 10 cases range from assault to public intoxication to marijuana to disorderly conduct.
Not included in the database is his arrest this past February. He took a plea deal in March after being charged with intimidation, battery against a public safety official, cheating at gambling, attempted theft, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and two counts of resisting law enforcement, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, Jones was sentenced to one-year probation for his role in a 2007 shooting that left one person partially paralyzed and two others injured. He was suspended for the entire 2007 season. In 2015, The Washington Post reported that Jones was ordered to pay more than $12 million in damages to two victims of the shooting. Jones was also suspended for a portion of the 2008 season with the Cowboys for an alcohol-related incident .
He spent the 2009 season out of the league before he latched on with the Bengals for eight years. The Broncos, who signed Jones in August of last year, cut him in November.
"How can I not be proud, 13 years in the game man, hell, I sometimes can't believe it, but it's real. I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to do what I love for so many years," Jones said. "We climbed through the mud to get here, we broke barriers, we cried, we laughed, we broke cycles, we broke records, we fell, but got the f--- back up, we lost some and double down and won the rest, we did what they said couldn't be done, and I say we because with my family, my supporters and my Almighty, we built this chapter of the story together."
