UGA’s Ben Jones honors his late father with change of numbers
ATHENS – Ben Jones, the Georgia football team’s starting center for the past three years, will wear a different jersey number for his senior season –- a long-planned tribute to his late father.
Ben Jones
Jones is switching from No. 61 to No. 60, which was worn by his father, Steve Jones, as a high school player in South Georgia.
“My dad passed away when I was 10 … in a helicopter crash at work [as a forester],” Jones said Saturday. “He was a Georgia fan; he was the one that got me to watching Georgia; he actually graduated from Georgia with a forestry degree. . . . There’s no better year to wear No. 60 to honor my dad than my senior year here at Georgia, his favorite school and my favorite school.”
Jones said he wore No. 60 “all the way through since I was 10 years old” until he arrived at Georgia in 2008 and found the number unavailable because it belonged to fellow offensive lineman Clint Boling, who was one year ahead of Jones.
“I said, ‘I’ll just wait until [Boling] is gone to get No. 60,’” Jones said. “So I’ve had this planned since I’ve been here. I was waiting to stay my senior year and wear No. 60 in honor of my dad.”
Boling completed his eligibility last season and is preparing for the NFL draft.
Jones’ strong desire to wear No. 60 at Georgia, he said, is one reason he didn’t seriously consider entering this year’s draft as a junior.
Although he grew up in Alabama, Jones said he always was a UGA fan because of his father’s influence.
For more news and notes from Saturday’s football practice, please click here.
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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107 comments Add your comment
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
6:38 pm
This BUTLER team is unbelievable.
WaverlyDawg
March 26th, 2011
6:43 pm
Delta, this kid was honoring the memory of his father and not seeking your opinion. Anyone who has ever played the sport knows that alot happens on the line that fans never see or hear. That is just the way the game is played. This young man has accomplished alot in his short life and did so without his father there beside him. Your comments are out of line. Instead of criticizing a young man who has worked hard and accomplished a dream that every high school ball player has, why don’t you enlighten us with some of the accomplishments in your life that your father would be proud of. Surely you can come up with something other than being a hostess in the friendly skies.
D A DoubleU G
March 26th, 2011
6:43 pm
This is not Bill King’s blog.
And I love his blog. Tim Tucker covers other sports. If you don’t like Bill’s blog, simply don’t click on it to read it. There is NO blog anywhere on the internet that forces you to read it. So if you get so up in arms over what he covers, I have a simple solution for you…..
D A DoubleU G
March 26th, 2011
6:45 pm
“Delta Stewardess” would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS post the things he does without the anonymity of this blog.
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
6:54 pm
D A DoubleU G
The same can be said about your posting. I have seen what type of stuff you post on the Tech articles.
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:02 pm
D A DoubleU G I did not say I dislike Bill’s blog. I do wonder if his blog would be better if someone else would write on the other sports as a fan too. Bill still does the Football just add some more sports.
Butler really is no JOKE. I can’t believe they just did what we couldn’t do in OT. They are very impressive with the talent and how they use it. I guess some on here are happy the Gators went down. The SEC has only one team left with a shot at the Championship.
D A DoubleU G
March 26th, 2011
7:04 pm
I post sports smack talk to my most hated rivals.
NEVER have i attacked a players character or family.
You are a pathetic piece of sh–. In no way are you a UGA fan or represent anything a true UGA fan stands for.
This is an unarguable point, so don’t bother replying or expecting me to reply back. You are dead to me, and everybody else affiliated with the University of Georgia.
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:13 pm
LOL D A DoubleU G I am pretty sure you said many sweet and respectful things about Nick Fairley. Sir you are not telling the truth. I didn’t say anything about his character. I said he plays as dirty as Fairley. I am entitled to my opinion. You are entitled to yours as well. Please don’t try to say you represent UGA Fans well on the Blogs.
duckey
March 26th, 2011
7:21 pm
no dog fan would every compair ben jones to nick fairley
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:28 pm
Ben went at the knee (from behind) in an attempt to seriously injure a Mississippi State player. The play was some 15 to 20 yards past the hit Ben made. That was a CHEAP and DIRTY move no matter if Ben Jones is a Dawg. Maybe all you testosterone filled males find that acceptable but I do not.
Worm
March 26th, 2011
7:35 pm
Thanks Ed Pilcher for your comments.
duckey
March 26th, 2011
7:38 pm
the point is delta is that you are not a dog fan dummy.
MCG DAWG
March 26th, 2011
7:45 pm
Delta….this article is about a young man honoring the memory of his dad. Why are you dissing on him here?
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:46 pm
OK ducky. I guess my Diploma and the money we give does not matter. How many “FANS” have i read on this blog that have screamed for OUR Coaches heads for over a year? I guess that makes many people claiming to be Dawg Fans flat out liars.
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:48 pm
MCG
I just said it is fine what he is doing. I just think he is DIRTY. Honoring his father has not changed my opinion of him.
WonderDawg
March 26th, 2011
7:52 pm
Delta Steward – enough of your AU love, bring me something to drink!
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:53 pm
I also like and RESPECT the EVIL TIM TEBOW. I guess I am wrong and cannot be a DAWG fan for that too. I don’t much like Matt Stafford because he left. I understand the Money. He could have done great things his last year. Matt has not been so good in the NFL as of yet.
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:55 pm
Auburn Love? Where have I exbited any Auburn Love at all.
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
7:56 pm
exhibited
MCG DAWG
March 26th, 2011
8:04 pm
Delta….do you really need a diploma to be a stewardess today?
Flying Tigers
March 26th, 2011
8:07 pm
Yeah, I remember Mr. Jones, he was the cheap shot artist that almost ruined that Misssissippi State players knee. Hopefully he will start showing a little class on the field. However, I doubt it. WAR DAMN EAGLE!!! NATIONAL CHAMPS!!
Delta Stewardess
March 26th, 2011
8:09 pm
MCG I graduated in 66. Most girls were in school for a MRS. Degree. I have a Fine Arts Degree. Art History and considered being an Art teacher before I hit the AIR. Yes, in almost any business today you really need a College Degree if you want a future.
mike
March 26th, 2011
9:20 pm
good luck dawgs and ben
Jon
March 26th, 2011
9:40 pm
That ONE play against MSU was poor judgement on Ben’s part; however, a major difference between Ben and Fairley is that Ben admitted he was wrong and even called the MSU player to apologize. I am certain Fairley never thought about calling Murray much less apologizing and admitting he crossed the line. Furthermore, did Chizik ever admit dirty hits by Fairley much less levy any consequential punishment to his star defensive tackle? Answer: NO! In the NFL, if Fairley attempt 1/4 of what got away with in the SEC, his career is over. An angry O-line will see to it!
Benadawg
March 26th, 2011
9:46 pm
After reading this, i like Ben Jones even more…Go Ben and Go Dawgs!!!!!!!
renegade#1
March 26th, 2011
9:53 pm
Delta is really a stewardess on a cropduster flying out of auburn. Mam i need a bag of peanuts please.
Hunker Down
March 26th, 2011
9:56 pm
Get after this year number 60. Go Dawgs!
K-9 NONSENSE
March 26th, 2011
10:36 pm
HANG IN THERE DELTA GIRL!!! TONIGHT’S BLOG PROVES THAT THERE AIN’T A BIGGER BUNCH OF GOOBER’S ANNYYYWHERE THIS SIDE OT TOOMER’S(GOOBER’S)CORNER FOR SURE!!!! NOW AAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TOGETHER ……………………..WOOF,WOOF,WOOF,WOOF,WOOF,WOOF,WOOF,WOOF,WOOF,WOOF!!!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHA!!!!
maddawg
March 26th, 2011
10:53 pm
Jon, exactly right!!!!
Stewardess, there is no comparison between Jones and Fairly when it comes to dirty play.
Jones played hard and occasionally flirted with what could be called dirty play……Fairly set out to purposly hurt people (mainly quarterbacks) with cheap shots on a weekly basis.
Texas Dawg
March 27th, 2011
1:09 am
I hope they all play Nasty and dirty this year (Van GORDER) type.They need to be nasty to compete with the other nasty players in the SEC .GO DAWGS
It Ain't Rocket Science
March 27th, 2011
5:45 am
I think this article is about a young man honoring his father’s memory by wearing his old school uniform number while playing for UGA. There is no need to interject anybodies opinion of Ben, negative or positive in anybodies comments.
If you can’t say anything nice about somebody, sometimes it is better to just keep quiet. You open yourself up for a bunch of critical comments when you do.
UGASlobberknocker
March 27th, 2011
8:00 am
My SEC loyalty gene only applies in football. In the basketball tourney, I go for the underdog.
Butler is amazing..as is Stevens. I dont see how Butler can keep him if Indiana or somebody else throws him a pile of money. He is too good for Butler.
Still@theBar
March 27th, 2011
8:50 am
Butler is amazing..as is Stevens. I dont see how Butler can keep him if Indiana or somebody else throws him a pile of money.
Still@theBar
March 27th, 2011
8:52 am
UGASlobberknocker Butler is amazing..as is Stevens. I dont see how Butler can keep him if Indiana or somebody else throws him a pile of money.
It might not be a Pile but What if Stevens wants the challenge of the ACC and ends up a TECH?
Still@theBar
March 27th, 2011
9:16 am
I am guessing Alabama and Colorado did deserve to be in the NCAA Tourney over the DAWGS.
Trojan
March 27th, 2011
9:18 am
This blog is about a player who is paying tribute to a late father and someone like Delta pushes his agenda. What a loser. Dude, you are a loser.
bitter "OLE" School Dogs-fan
March 27th, 2011
9:56 am
delta slu—- go put your teeth back in and do something with that blue hair, stop eating a bucket of pop corn for breakfest!!!! 6-6 250 // you may be recruited next at all-burn——-hahahahahah
Too Funny
March 27th, 2011
10:01 am
A lady makes a comment (her opinion) on Ben Jones and Dawg fans start ripping her apart. I don’t agree Ben is Dirty. I do think Richt has to go if he doesn’t really improve fast. I know half the fan base (on the blogs) is against RICHT and BOBO and half is for them. We need to stop fighting amongst ourselves. Calling a fan not a TRUE DAWG FAN because they hold a different opinion is wrong.
Hit A Single
March 27th, 2011
10:02 am
Ben, you have made your dad mighty proud already. Great tribute and this is just another great story that comes out of athletics.
BornADawg
March 27th, 2011
10:11 am
DeltaStewardess, I assume you are a woman. You apparetnly don’t understand the term “got your back.” That’s what Ben Jones was doing in the Auburn game, protecting his QB. I have to say you are a complete “idiotess”.
Dirty Dawg
March 27th, 2011
10:23 am
one more thing….THERE is a difference in a True Dawg Fan and the Fairweather Fairy’s that make up the multitude of morons who post here with their Richt bashing……..we have been very successful with Richt in the decade and we will continue to be successfull WITH RICHT leading the way! GO DAWGS!!!
Too Funny
March 27th, 2011
10:25 am
@DIRTY DAWG now you are just acting the fool. Why are you trying to pick a fight with me? Don’t call somebody classless and then be classless in the manner in which you chose to do it.
Dirty Dawg
March 27th, 2011
10:41 am
I think I said “multitude of morons”, but classless works, too.
Dirty Dawg
March 27th, 2011
10:45 am
Now a comment that has relativity to the article above: BEN JONES is a CLASS ACT! GO BEN! GO DAWGS!
Delta Stewardess
March 27th, 2011
11:18 am
It is in the manner we pursue our endeavors that character is revealed, but in our failures character is born.
I hope y’all enjoyed Church. The sermon was wonderful this morning.
Dirty Dawg
March 27th, 2011
11:24 am
60
Too Funny
March 27th, 2011
11:29 am
DIRTY DAWG 60?
If you study and try real hard. You can be the best bagger at Kroger even with an IQ of 60.
Too Funny
March 27th, 2011
11:30 am
Dirty Dawg I am just kidding. Have a good Sunday.
chem
March 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
Ignore the noise, Ben. Work hard in the weight room, and keep your nose to the grindstone.
Dirty Dawg
March 27th, 2011
12:41 pm
Excellent advice, chem