NFL: Pacman's next football team will be on reality TV
By JAIME ARON
AP Sports Writer
Adam "Pacman" Jones landed a new team today. Sort of.
On the opening day of the NFL's free agent signing period, Jones instead was on vacation in Puerto Rico and talking about his role on the upcoming reality TV show "Pros vs. Joes 4: All Stars." His marketing representative refused to allow Jones to comment about what's next in his real playing career, but earlier in the interview Jones declared, "I'm definitely not at the end of my career. I'm basically just getting it going."
The 25-year-old Jones is by far the youngest among the six NFL and six NBA stars who will compete against regular guys in the latest installment of the Spike TV show. All others are either retired or close to it.
"It's a good show," Jones said. "Hopefully I can bring a little excitement to it."
Jones' NFL future is in doubt because of his off-field issues and mediocre performance on the field last season.
He was a star cornerback and kick returner for the Tennessee Titans in 2005 and '06, but the NFL suspended him for the entire 2007 season because of an accumulation of legal problems. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2008, then was suspended for six more games following a fight with his team-provided bodyguard. The Cowboys announced they were dumping him soon after the season ended, weeks before the move actually could be made. His on-field play was a factor, too, as he had no interceptions and a pedestrian 4.5 yards per punt return.
In the TV show, Jones will be reunited with former Tennessee teammate Steve McNair. Tim Brown, Simeon Rice, Priest Holmes and Rich Gannon are the other NFL players who will take on the Joes in three skills competitions and a three-on-three scrimmage in each episode. There will be four episodes per sport, a change from previous seasons when multiple sports were played in each episode.
"I'm going to make sure I do my job," Jones said. "I don't want no balls caught on me."
The basketball talent includes Alonzo Mourning, Robert Horry, Glen Rice, Antoine Walker, Shawn Kemp and Steve Francis. Jones, however, would love to join them.
"I hope so, man," he said. "I'm very competitive. I was All-American in basketball (in high school). There's nothing I can't do."
The show will begin taping March 3. The first episode will air April 27.