On the morning of June 25, 2010, Chad Jones, a former LSU football and baseball player, was involved in a serious car accident in New Orleans. The accident not only threatened his life but also cast a shadow over his promising sports career.
Chad Jones during his LSU days. Image source: foxnews.com
The Accident and Initial Aftermath
The accident occurred around 6:15 AM on Carrollton Avenue, near Toulouse Street. Jones' SUV crashed into a streetcar pole. It was not immediately clear what caused Jones to lose control of his Range Rover in the one-car accident, but speculation is that he turned his wheel quickly trying to get out of streetcar tracks, causing the vehicle to flip over.
It took 20 minutes to extract Jones from the vehicle. Two men riding in the SUV with him were treated for minor injuries and not hospitalized. Police plan to run toxicology reports to see if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Jones, 21, suffered multiple fractures to his left leg, shattering his tibia and fibula, and also had arteries and nerves exposed, according to various reports. He was transported to the LSU Trauma Center in guarded condition. Doctors attempted to get blood flowing back into Jones’ left foot as he underwent several hours of surgery. He lost a great deal of blood but the main artery in his left leg was not severed.
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According to published reports, Jones, a safety from LSU, suffered broken bones in his left leg and ankle in the crash and had surgery at the LSU Public Hospital in New Orleans.
“If it turns out where I think my son can talk, walk and breathe, then he’s going to be just fine,” Al Jones, Chad’s father, told The Post outside the hospital.
The wreckage of the SUV Jones was driving. Image source: theadvocate.com
Immediate Concerns and Support
The Giants were alerted soon after the wreck. “We continue to gather information on Chad’s condition, and obviously our primary concern is for his health and well being,” the team said in a statement.
“They just said the surgery was successful,” said Al Jones, who drove nine hours with his wife from Fort Worth, Texas, to New Orleans after learning of the accident. An NFL doctor told The Post the next 24 to 36 hours will determine the extent of the trauma to Chad Jones’ left foot.
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Jones’ agent, Rocky Arceneaux, said he was told Jones faces a “very lengthy” rehab for his left leg, but that in time he should be able to walk and that the leg will not need to be amputated.
Chad Jones' Background and Achievements
Chad Jones was a two-sport star at LSU, where he became one of two players in NCAA history to win a BCS football championship and a College World Series title, joining teammate Jared Mitchell.
As a member of the 2007 LSU football and 2009 LSU baseball teams that both won national championships, he is one of just two college athletes to win a title in both football and baseball.
He was drafted by the Houston Astros coming out of high school and the Milwaukee Brewers after the Giants selected him. However, he decided to attend LSU as a two-sport athlete.
It looked like things were going right for Jones when he came out of LSU and the New York Giants selected him with the 76th overall pick in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft.
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Chad Jones in action for LSU. Image source: YouTube
Impact on his Football Career
Jones was expected to compete for a roster spot as a safety and possibly a returner. He signed a four-year, $2.6 million contract with the Giants that included a signing bonus of $825,965.
His injuries were so severe, doctors nearly decided to amputate his left leg. At that moment, his NFL career seemed over. It turned out that his NFL career was over after the accident, as the Giants released him two years later.
According to Dr. Scott Rodeo, a Giants associate team physician, he had 'residual sensory loss, muscle weakness, and tenuous soft tissue coverage in the involved lower leg (and) the resultant functional impairment precludes his ability to perform physically at the level required for professional football.'
Jones worked out for the Philadelphia Eagles in December and for the New Orleans Saints in January, but neither team was willing to sign him to a deal."
Transition to Baseball
Nearly three years removed from the accident, Jones officially ended his football comeback. Jones then turned his attention to pro baseball. A left-hander with a 91-mph fastball, Jones was a 13th-round pick by the Houston Astros coming out of high school.
After helping LSU win the 2009 College World Series, he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 50th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Cincinnati selected Jones in the ninth round of the June 7th Major League Baseball Draft.
Despite his physical setbacks and time away from the game, Jones picked up right where he left off.
Jones’ story is one of heartbreaking misfortune, but it’s also one of inspiration. His fierce resolve, along with his gifted athleticism, and raw skills, were simply too much for the Cincinnati Reds to pass on.
Summary of Events
The following table summarizes the key events in Chad Jones' career and the aftermath of the accident:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Won national championship with LSU football team |
| 2009 | Won College World Series with LSU baseball team |
| April 2010 | Drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the NFL Draft |
| June 2010 | Involved in a serious car accident in New Orleans |
| May 2012 | Released by the New York Giants due to physical limitations |
| June 2013 | Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth round of the MLB Draft |
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