Pacman Jones calls it a career after nearly 15 years of controversy

Cornerback who helped usher in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Personal Conduct Policy announces retirement via social media.

Talented and enigmatic cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones ended his controversy-riddled career Friday by announcing his retirement on his Instagram account.  Jones, a former No. 6 overall pick by Tennessee in 2005, resurrected his career after nearly seeing it end in controversy.

Yet the tightly wound and combative Jones may be best remembered for his off-field behavior that led NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to introduce tough personal conduct rules that have been at the heart of numerous NFL controversies ever since.

Jones first ran into trouble with the league in February 2007, when he and his associates were part of a strip club melee in which shots were fired, leaving a man paralyzed. Jones eventually was sued and the man was awarded $12 million in damages from Jones. In the interim, Goodell and NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw agreed to a policy giving Goodell vast power over conduct.

Jones was suspended for the entire 2007 season and was eventually released by Tennessee. He signed with Dallas in 2008 and got into trouble with the team. Among other things, Jones got into a fight with a man hired by the Cowboys to help provide Jones with security help. Jones also gambled heavily with other players, such as wide receiver Terrell Owens, in card games.

The Cowboys released Jones and he did not play in 2009. After apparently understanding how close he was to being out of the league, Jones got back into the NFL with Cincinnati in 2010 and played the next eight years with the Bengals. With Cincinnati, Jones became one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL.

Jones, who maintained much of his speed and quickness well into his 30s, was named to the All-Pro team in 2014 and made the Pro Bowl in 2015, his 11th year after being drafted. He was released by Cincinnati after the 2017 season and played seven games with Denver in 2018 before being released.

His off-field problems resurfaced late in his career. Jones was always known for losing his temper. In Februry, he was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication, intimidation and resisting arrest at a casino outside of Cincinnati.

He was also arrested in January 2017 for a series of transgressions, including pushing a security guard. He was also charged with misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing official business, along with a felony charge of harassment with a bodily substance for spitting on the hand of a nurse while being booked. Jones eventually please guilty to obstructing official business and the other charges. Still, Goodell suspended Jones for the opener of the 2017 season.