FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew is one player you wouldn't blame for wanting out of the Pro Bowl. He has good reason not to be here.
Jones-Drew's mother is currently hospitalized after battling meningitis, which also caused a stroke last Wednesday night. Jones-Drew got the call no one wants to get — the 5 a.m. variety — two weeks ago to take his mother to the emergency room, at which point the meningitis was diagnosed. She was later released, but relapsed last week.
Thankfully, his mother, who is only 47, is feeling much better. Jones-Drew, who said he's been talking to her every day, explained Thursday it wasn't really his decision to play in his first Pro Bowl.
"I told her, 'Whatever you want me to do, I'll do.' That's my mother. She was like, 'Well, I want you to bring me back the MVP trophy in the car,'" Jones-Drew said laughing.
Jones-Drew's status as one of the easiest players to work with is well-deserved. He also told me that along with his son and his girlfriend, he brought his fullback Greg Jones and his entire offensive line to the Pro Bowl. Here's wishing all the best to the Jones-Drew family.
