Prior to quarterback Mac Jones joining the New England Patriots, his father, Gordon predicted not only his success in the NFL but Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts‘ as well.
There are a few things that Jones, Tagovailoa, and Hurts have in common: all of them are stellar players, all of them assume the quarterback position, and all of them were student-athletes at the University of Alabama. Despite the fact that they had to compete for the position, the three boys individually showcased special talents, talents that would lead them down a path to the NFL.
Although seemingly no one could predict that all three athletes would go on to become starting quarterbacks for different franchises, Gordon Jones has had his eyes on the boys since his son began playing at a college level. This is why when Alabama took home the 2017 National Championship title, Mac’s father made sure to get one football autographed by Tagovailoa, Hurts, and his son.
“It’s hard for Mac and kids at that age to appreciate the sense of history that might be coming down the road,” Gordon explained during an interview with PEOPLE Magazine. “That might turn out to be the greatest quarterback room in collegiate history.”
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Gordon Jones just wanted his son to be “making good decisions”
While it is clear Gordon has always believed in Mac’s success as an athlete; the proud father noted that his main priority was ensuring his son lived a positive life, regardless of if he became a pro football player. “My goal and my wife Holly’s goal was to get him to a point where he was an adult making his own decisions and was making good decisions,” Mr. Jones explained.
“And certainly, there are things that I wish and hope that he does better, and I think he probably feels the same way,” he continued. “There might be a list that comes out from Dad that I give to him at some point after this season cools off.”
The list that Jones’ father refers to is a reference to a motivational list initially written in 2020 to inspire his son ahead of that year’s National Championship.
When asked about what Gordon’s updated list would include, he expressed the sentiments, “I’m still your dad, and I’m still going to love you… I’m not your coach. I want to be your father. I don’t want to be your coach. There are other people that are much better at doing that.”
