There’s no question that Adam Jones had great talent on the gridiron as a cornerback and return specialist.
“Pacman” was adept at gobbling up errant passes and affecting the psyche of opposing receivers while also breaking ankles, returning punts and kicks.
The 100 Greatest Bengals
47 – Adam "Pacman" Jones
Latest Show: https://t.co/Fu6XcZBeH4 pic.twitter.com/s6rxv97KQt
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) July 12, 2024
Unfortunately, off the field, Jones was equally adept at getting himself into hot water.
From his time in college at West Virginia and throughout his NFL career, Jones was consistently in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Whether he was caught exceeding the speed limit, arrested for altercations at nightclubs and strip joints or for public intoxication, Pacman never could get on the straight and narrow.
Despite his obvious talent, Jones frustrated his supporters and was even suspended by the NFL for the entire 2007 season because of his behavior.
What exasperated onlookers even more was that Jones was capable of doing good things, as evidenced by his adopting the children of a former teammate who passed away.
After leaving the league following a 2018 stint with the Denver Broncos, Jones has remained in the news not only for his pro wrestling career but for more troubling behavior.
This is the story of Adam “Pacman” Jones.
The Origin of “Pacman”
Adam Bernard Jones was born on September 30, 1983, in Atlanta, Georgia.
When he was only eight years old, Jones’ father was killed in a robbery, leaving Adam to be raised by his mother, Deborah, and grandmother, Christine.
Both women worked hard to keep him from a life of crime.
They stressed academics and athletics early, and Jones stayed out of trouble.
The story behind how “Pacman” Jones got his nickname 👀 pic.twitter.com/WnzwQTYNtH
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) August 26, 2025
While he was growing up and playing youth sports, Deborah Jones likened her son to “Pacman” because he chomped down on her while breast feeding as an infant.
Adding to the Westlake Mystique
At Westlake High School in Atlanta, Jones made a name for himself as a three-sport athlete.
Westlake is known for its NFL alumni, including former league MVP Cam Newton and current players Malik Willis, Nate Wiggins, AJ Terrell and Micah Robinson.
Jones wanted to be added to the list of notable Lions and set about racking up accolades on the football field, the hardwood and the track.
As a football player, he played on both sides of the ball and helped Westlake to a 9-3 record during his senior year.
His bewildering talent produced 1,850 rushing yards as a running back and 120 tackles and six interceptions from his corner position.
Pacman was picked by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for its Class 4A all-state team, and he was also chosen as the Conference Player of the Year.
Jones was invited to the Georgia-Florida all-star game following his senior year, and his number 5 was retired by Westlake.
When he wasn’t on the field, Jones crushed opponents in the 100-meter dash and 4×100-meter relay in track and was a high school All-American in basketball.
Signing with WVU
High school players don’t rush for nearly 2,000 yards, tackle ball-carriers over 100 times, and snag six interceptions in a single season very often.
So, it goes without saying that Pacman had interest from every major college in the Eastern Seaboard.
Jones took visits to schools like the University of Miami, Duke, University of North Carolina, Georgia Tech and West Virginia.
After careful consideration, he narrowed his list down to Georgia Tech and WVU.
On signing day, Jones pulled on a Tech hat before playfully dumping the hat and putting on a Mountaineers lid.
Most of his friends and family were in attendance and expressed shock that Pacman was leaving Georgia.
It didn’t come as a shock to Jones’s mother, though.
“My mom didn’t want me to stay in the city,” he said in 2003.
Rich Rodriguez arrived at West Virginia in 2001 and was intent on guiding the program back to being a national contender.
Jones fit the bill as an athlete and a model student.
During his true freshman year in 2002, he played in 11 of the Mountaineers’ 13 games and had 36 combined tackles, an interception and one forced fumble.
Stepping Up
West Virginia began the 2003 season 1-4 despite the play of Jones and fellow sophomore Chris Henry, a receiver and one of Pacman’s close friends.
During a contest against the second-ranked Miami Hurricanes on October 2, Jones held his own against All-American tight end Kellen Winslow II.
The Mountaineers lost a tight one, 22-20, but Pacman was in Winslow’s head the entire day.
At various points during the first half, the tight end talked trash at Jones and asked the corner if he knew Winslow’s name.
The best of Adam Pacman Jones at West Virginia 🎮@REALPACMAN24 pic.twitter.com/xvZw12nSvP
— 2StripesCPD (@2StripesCPD) April 28, 2024
Just before halftime, Jones answered by picking off a pass intended for Winslow.
“I’m Pac-Man, gobble, gobble,” said Jones.
Not only did Jones intercept a pass, but he also caused a fumble, fell on another one, and made 12 tackles, leading to his selection as the Big East Player of the Week.
Coach Rodriguez was proud of his young player.
“They tested him a little bit,” said Rodriguez, “but he played pretty well. He’s a darn good competitor.”
More Accolades
It was obvious to onlookers that Jones was having a great year, assisted by a strength and conditioning program that made him stronger and faster, maybe even a little too fast.
“Sometimes I’m so scared in speed drills because I’m going so fast that I’m afraid I’m going to pull something,” Jones said.
Due to his off-field conditioning, Pacman went from a 4.4 40-yard dash as a freshman to running a 4.3 as a sophomore.
His speed showed on the gridiron as he not only had 89 tackles, four interceptions, one pick-six, 14 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries, but also posted a 26.3-yard average and one score on 33 kick returns.
Tonight at @roughnrowdy, Pacman Jones will be fighting.
The West Virginia Mountaineer.
BOL to him! https://t.co/neb0BeGNIh pic.twitter.com/7hJnxddpHl
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 9, 2022
Boston College felt his wrath on November 8 when Jones took an 87-yard kick return to the house, and also took an interception 47-yards for a score.
After WVU’s stunning 8-4 turnaround that season, he was named second-team All-Big East.
In 2004, the Mountaineers won eight of its first nine contests before losing their final three, including a 30-18 loss against Florida State in the Gator Bowl.
Jones did his part to keep his team competitive with 76 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions and seven passes broken up.
He also tallied 608 yards on 26 kick returns and 306 yards and a touchdown on 21 punt returns.
Pacman was chosen as a first-team All-American, first-team All-Big East and Big East Special Teams Player of the Year.
Going Pro
Shortly after the Gator Bowl ended, Jones decided he’d accomplished all he could in college and announced he would be forgoing his senior year to enter the 2005 NFL Draft.
In three seasons at Morgantown, he had eight interceptions, 22 passes broken up, 201 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
PacMan Jones 2.0 #SkoBuffs 🦬🔥 pic.twitter.com/Oeq9O3AbKe
— Ossacin’s Ducktail (@OssacinDucktail) August 13, 2025
On special teams, Jones returned 59 kickoffs for 1,475 yards, a 25.0-yard average per return and one touchdown, and took 37 punt returns for 404 yards and a 10.9-yard average.
The Tennessee Titans liked the idea of adding the 5 ’10”, 185-pound dual-threat star and selected Pacman with the sixth overall pick in the first round.
Following the draft, Jones committed to sending money to the 100 Club, an organization founded to help families of first responders who perished on the job.
Rookie Year
Tennessee was coming off a five-win season in 2003 and desperately needed the help.
Head coach Jeff Fisher inserted the rookie into the starting lineup despite Jones missing most of training camp due to a holdout.
Before Jones left West Virginia, he was involved in a fight and was a participant in another fight at a Nashville nightclub in July.
According to the team, Jones held out because the franchise had built-in safeguards to his contract in case he got into any more trouble.
Both sides eventually came to an agreement, and he started 13 games and played in 15 for the Titans, who would end 2005 with a 4-12 record.
Adam "Pacman" Jones was the definition of a playmaker 🍿
pic.twitter.com/GF7WQGBKxt— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) August 1, 2025
The contract clause kicked in almost immediately when Jones argued with Nashville police at a lunch he was invited to on September 5.
At the same time, the state of West Virginia claimed that Jones had not maintained consistent contact with his probation officer, and his probation was extended 90 days.
When he was on the field, Jones had 54 tackles, one fumble recovery, and 11 passes broken up, and added 1,399 yards in kick and punt returns with one punt returned for a score as a rookie.
Pacman Jones tribute. pic.twitter.com/t6kOTmZQku
— Eric McClung (@ericmcclung) November 17, 2025
During the season, he also spent time with a local high school football team that experienced the death of one of its players, encouraging the student-athletes to persevere.
Jones was chosen as a member of the PWFA All-Rookie Team following the season.
Trouble Brewing
In his second year with the Titans, Pacman started 15 games and posted 63 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, 12 passes broken up, four interceptions and one pick-six.
On special teams, he tied a franchise record with Billy “White Shoes” Johnson when he returned three punts for touchdowns (which led the NFL that year), along with 1,131 total punt and kick return yards.
Marcus Jones of the Patriots is the first NFL player to record two special teams TDs and a defensive TD in a season since Pacman Jones in 2006 pic.twitter.com/7R6pvTwFMI
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) December 2, 2025
Jones was rapidly becoming one of the best young players in the league, and his play, along with rookie QB Vince Young, helped the Titans go 8-8 in 2005.
However, Pacman could not stay out of trouble.
In February 2006, he was arrested outside a home in Georgia and charged with marijuana possession.
Two months later, a vehicle with the name “Pacman” sewn into the headrests was seized in a drug bust.
Technically, the vehicle wasn’t registered to Jones, but he admitted he was the owner and had loaned the Cadillac to a friend for a music video.
In August and October of ‘06, Jones was cited and arrested for two separate incidents at nightclubs in Nashville.
Then, following the season, Jones was involved in a sordid scene at a Las Vegas stripclub with rapper Nelly during NBA All-Star weekend.
Both men had “showered” the stage with $1 bills and got involved in a scuffle with some bouncers at the club.
Adam "Pacman" Jones has to pay $12.4M as a result of making it rain at a strip club in '07 » http://t.co/PJ6JxetHC7 pic.twitter.com/5XjIMDH8mW
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 9, 2015
The entourage left, then someone returned to the location and fired a gun numerous times into the crowd.
A security guard was shot twice, and a former professional wrestler, Tommy Urbanski, was also hit and paralyzed from the waist down.
NFL Suspends Jones
Jones denied knowing the shooter, but witnesses came forward who said he did know the suspect.
The Titans found out about the incident during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
“Once we’re able to gather the facts on this one, we’ll be able to address his future and those other types of things,” Fisher said while attending the event.
Shortly after the public found out about the nightclub incident, Darryl Morre, who Jones had lent his Cadillac to in 2006, was caught on a wiretap incriminating Jones.
“You know, I was talkin’ to (Jones) the other day about smokin’, and he was like ‘Man, if I didn’t smoke I couldn’t take all the stress that I’m dealing with right now,'” said Moore.
In May 2007, Jones was stopped in Nashville for going 79 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone.
He was also sought by Atlanta police for a shooting at an Atlanta nightclub on June 18, although it was determined that Jones was not present.
On June 20, 2007, Las Vegas police officially charged Jones with two felony charges.
That was followed by Urbanski and his wife suing Jones on June 25, for his role in the Vegas nightclub shooting.
By then, the accumulation of charges and arrests was too much for the league.
🚨🚨THIS IS WILD🚨🚨
FORMER #BENGALS CB ADAM ‘PACMAN’ JONES SAYS THAT HE NEVER USED HIS OWN URINE FOR #NFL DRUG TESTS.
“I cheated the program”
“I was really good. People don’t know how smart I am, but like, I can say it now. I don’t play no more”
Wow 🤯
(Via Deion Sanders) pic.twitter.com/v6pOFNv9bE
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) March 6, 2025
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced in early April that he had suspended Jones for the entire 2007 season.
Jones then apologized to the public through The Tennessean newspaper.
“To my family, teammates, coaches and fans, I recognize that I have lost the right to ask for your patience and understanding,” wrote Jones. “However, I will do everything in my power to regain your trust and respect.”
Goodell promised to revisit the suspension during the season, but upheld his decision after Week 10, keeping Pacman off the field.
Trade to Dallas
In the spring of 2008, Jones was a guest on a Tennessee radio station and told Titans fans he was ready to play.
Goodell and the league took the information under advisement, but still kept Pacman under suspension.
As the impasse dragged on, it looked like the Titans were shopping Jones, and he expressed interest in being traded to at least a half dozen teams, including the Dallas Cowboys.
Finally, as the 2008 NFL Draft loomed, Tennessee and Dallas agreed to terms, sending Jones to Texas in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.
On August 26, the NFL cleared Jones to return to the NFL, and he reported to Dallas.
#Cowboys former DB PacMan Jones was a DAWG and Uber talented… pic.twitter.com/Ed5GLACAfG
— Mark D. TalknBoysWitDaBoyZ (@MarkDsCorner) October 25, 2023
During the Cowboys’ 9-7 season, Pacman played in nine games, started six, and had 31 tackles, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and seven passes broken up.
He also missed significant time in the middle of the year due to a suspension stemming from a fight Jones was involved in at a Dallas hotel.
A week after the season ended, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones learned that Pacman might have ordered the shooting at the Atlanta nightclub in June 2007.
The news troubled the owner, and he cut Jones loose in February 2009.
Bengals Sign Jones
In August 2009, the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced they had signed Jones for the upcoming season.
“It’ll be a good experience for me to get back in game shape and compete and play football, which I like to do,” Jones told SI.com. “I’m real happy for the opportunity that’s been given to me. Of course, it’s disappointing to me to not be playing in the NFL. But things happen and you have to adjust.”
Jason Fletcher, one of Jones’s agents, told the media that his client was still a player of interest for NFL clubs.
“All of the NFL teams I’m talking to told me they will be monitoring his progress every week, in games and in practice,” Fletcher said. “They said once he shows that the physical ability has not eroded, and once he shows that he can keep clean, he’ll get another shot, without a doubt.”
Barely a month later, Winnipeg officials announced that they wouldn’t keep him after all, following a perceived slight from Jones.
It wasn’t until February of 2010 that he finally got a workout with an NFL team.
Report: Amari Cooper punched Pacman Jones in the throat – http://t.co/rwvt309aPd pic.twitter.com/oh324ZWvaw
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 17, 2015
The Cincinnati Bengals brought in Jones to see if he still had the talent that made him a first-round draft pick.
Turns out he had plenty of juice left, and the organization signed him in May.
Role Player
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was comfortable working with malcontents.
Receivers Chad “Ochocinco” and Terrell Owens (two athletes known for their outlandish behavior) were already on the Cincinnati roster in 2010.
Jones would just be one of the gang.
Although he started one game and played in five, a neck injury in October kept him sidelined for the remainder of the year.
WILD: #Bengals great Adam "Pacman" Jones is the only player in #NFL history to ever do both of the following
• Record a sack on defense
• Be sacked on offense🤯@REALPACMAN24 pic.twitter.com/fqz2YvaVh3
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) August 14, 2024
In 2011, the Bengals went 9-7 and lost in the wild-card round to the Houston Texans.
Pacman missed half the season with more injuries.
Thankfully, Jones was present and accounted for during the entire 2012 season and played in all 16 games while starting five.
He had 40 tackles, a sack, nine passes defended, and had 365 total return yards, including a touchdown on a punt return.
Pro Bowler
Jones started 13 games in 2013 and snagged three interceptions, including a pick-six, along with 12 passes broken up and 56 tackles.
Week 8, 2013- The Bengals laid the Smack Down on the Jets, beating them 49-9, including 4 TDs by Marvin Jones, 1 by Gresham & 2 pick 6's: 1 by Chris Crocker & capped off by a 60 yard pick 6 by PacMan Jones juking a young Geno Smith (@REALPACMAN24). Here are all 7 TDs: pic.twitter.com/zz2L1at66S
— obscure bengals (@obscure_bengals) October 22, 2025
He was also arrested in June for punching a woman outside a bar, although Jones said he was defending himself.
A year later, he was selected as a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career.
#Browns are hosting #Bengals FA defensive back Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones for a workout Friday, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/UsBycevTz0
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) July 26, 2018
Jones led the NFL with a 31.3 yards per return average on 27 kick returns, and added 262 punt return yards, three interceptions, 11 passes broken up and 63 tackles.
Then, in 2015, Pacman started 14 games and tallied three picks again (for the third season in a row), a dozen passes defended, one sack, 62 tackles and 428 total return yards.
His ninth year in the NFL brought Jones his first Pro Bowl invitation.
Unfortunately, his outstanding season was upended by a stupid penalty in the wild-card round against Pittsburgh.
With Cincinnati clinging to a 16-15 lead in the final minute and the Steelers driving, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was penalized for unnecessary roughness.
Before play could resume, Jones was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after arguing with Steelers coach Joey Porter.
The back-to-back penalties moved Pittsburgh into field goal range and Chris Boswell booted a 35-yarder to win, 18-16.
Porter was fined $10,000 by the NFL for his role, and Jones was fined $12,500.
Jones Retires
Pacman returned to start 16 games in 2016, the first time in his career that he started every game during the regular season.
He had 66 tackles (a career-high) and an interception while Cincy missed the postseason with six wins.
In 2017, Jones started nine games and posted 23 tackles and another pick for the 7-9 Bengals.
Shortly after the season concluded, Cincy did not re-sign him, and he became a free agent.
The Denver Broncos signed Jones that August, and he played in seven games, starting two, and had nine tackles and an interception for the 6-10 Broncos.
Denver released him in late November 2018, and Jones decided to retire on May 24, 2019 (just three months after being charged for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest at a casino in Indiana).
Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones announces his retirement from the NFL pic.twitter.com/2tdhPmsIkr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2019
During his 12-year career, Pacman had 509 tackles, three sacks, seven forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, and one fumble returned for a touchdown, 97 passes defended, 17 interceptions for 239 return yards and two pick-sixes.
Jones also added 1,944 punt return yards and five scores and 3,232 kick return yards.
He was a one-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro once and was a member of the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team in 2005.
Life After Football
When Jones was suspended by the NFL in 2007, he stayed active by signing with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
He returned to TNA in 2013 and then wrestled at a Barstool Sports “Rough and Rowdy” boxing event in 2021.
Still can’t believe PacMan Jones got his ass in the boxing ring 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/8sjNED6xOH
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) July 20, 2025
Despite no longer playing in the NFL, Jones continued to get himself in trouble.
On September 11, 2023, he was arrested at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport for disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
In 2024, Jones was arrested at AT&T Stadium in Dallas for his part in a fight and resisting arrest.
Then, on June 6, 2025, Pacman was arrested outside Cincinnati for disorderly conduct, public intoxication and assaulting a police officer.
NEW: Video shows an employee trying to stop 41-year-old Adam “Pacman” Jones from leaving the bar with a glass of wine
Later, Jones and his friends tried to re-enter the bar but were stopped on the stairs
Officers found Jones in a car attempting to leave and placed him in… pic.twitter.com/YnZ3GokKJG
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) June 21, 2025
Jones and his wife, Tishana, have three children, and the couple has adopted the kids of Chris Henry, Pacman’s close friend and teammate from West Virginia.
The former Bengals receiver died on December 16, 2009, during a domestic dispute with his wife.
Jones helped raise Henry’s three kids and adopted his two sons in 2021.
“For me, it’s heartwarming, because I know my man up there is sitting up there smiling like ‘man, I really appreciate you, man,’” said Jones.
References
https://www.pro-football-reference.com
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