Adam Jones tells NFL Network that his message to first-year players at the NFL Rookie Symposium this week was more powerful than last year's speech because of the legal circumstances in which he's currently engulfed.
Jones was arrested earlier this month and accused of striking a woman with an open palm after she allegedly threw a beer bottle at him outside Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Jones, a Cincinnati Bengals cornerback, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.
In an interview with NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano on Monday, Jones said he wasn't worried about the perception that people have of him after another incident.
"I can't control what people say, or what people's opinion is," Jones said. "But who are you to judge or say how I've grown or what I've done. ... I'm just gonna keep doing what I'm doing, being a great father and doing good in the community and keep my head straight and keep doing like I've been doing."
Some questioned if Jones was the best person to speak to young players, considering the recent arrest. However, NFL Senior Vice President of Player Engagement Troy Vincent told NFL Network's "NFL AM" on Monday that he had no qualms over bringing Jones back.
Entering his fourth season with the Bengals after a tumultuous beginning to his career, Jones said he wanted to discuss his circumstances with the rookies because he "keeps it real."
"Guys tend to run away when they feel pressure," he said. "I had the chance to run away ... I refuse to do that because the guys need to know really what is happening out there. Not what you want to hear, not the cut message. It needs to be really uncut so guys can know what guys are going through and what situations they need to stay away from."
When asked by Siciliano if football would be taken away from him again, Jones was blunt.
"I pray not, it shouldn't be," he said.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.