Spring Break
The Daily OrangeReason to Smile
Don't let Art Jones' constant grin fool you. He knows the pressure is on him to lead the Orange defense
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 8/28/08, 1:22 AM EST Section: Football Guide
Art Jones' teammates know that smile all too well.
Jones' teeth stand out the most. They're big and bright, seemingly filling up his whole mouth, with a signature gap in the front proving the endless row of shiny whites eventually ends somewhere back there.
Onlookers can tell the Syracuse junior defensive tackle is smiling from across the field, even with his helmet on, because his teeth illuminate from the shadows cast by his facemask.
That smile is there, even as he tries to cement himself as a leader on this defense, one year after he burst onto the scene with his 17 1/2 tackles for loss. Now, the junior is back anchoring the Orange's defensive line, trying to shed his class clown reputation.
But he can't help it. That smile's still there.
"He got it from his sister," said Arthur Jones Sr., Jones' father and a pastor in Binghamton, N.Y. "All three of my boys have it. She had a smile that lit the whole community up. She was very promising, but God had another plan for her."
Carmen Jones died of brain cancer when Art was in eighth grade. He and his younger brother, Jon, a rising star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, have her name tattooed on their arms. Chandler, Art's youngest brother and a freshman defensive end for Syracuse, plans to eventually complete the tradition. ("I still need to bulk up a little more.")
The Art Jones Smile is the real tribute to Carmen - a constant reminder of her life on his face. So Jones rarely stops smiling, especially on the football field. That's where he's happiest.
Sure, he'll face consistent double teams this year at nose tackle. He's one of the few players with any track record on a beleaguered and inexperienced defensive unit - one of the few SU players offenses will game plan around. No longer will Jones surprise opposing offensive linemen, like last year.
But football has always given Jones a reason to showcase that glowing smile - the smile Big East tailbacks are learning to fear.
Jones' teeth stand out the most. They're big and bright, seemingly filling up his whole mouth, with a signature gap in the front proving the endless row of shiny whites eventually ends somewhere back there.
Onlookers can tell the Syracuse junior defensive tackle is smiling from across the field, even with his helmet on, because his teeth illuminate from the shadows cast by his facemask.
That smile is there, even as he tries to cement himself as a leader on this defense, one year after he burst onto the scene with his 17 1/2 tackles for loss. Now, the junior is back anchoring the Orange's defensive line, trying to shed his class clown reputation.
But he can't help it. That smile's still there.
"He got it from his sister," said Arthur Jones Sr., Jones' father and a pastor in Binghamton, N.Y. "All three of my boys have it. She had a smile that lit the whole community up. She was very promising, but God had another plan for her."
Carmen Jones died of brain cancer when Art was in eighth grade. He and his younger brother, Jon, a rising star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, have her name tattooed on their arms. Chandler, Art's youngest brother and a freshman defensive end for Syracuse, plans to eventually complete the tradition. ("I still need to bulk up a little more.")
The Art Jones Smile is the real tribute to Carmen - a constant reminder of her life on his face. So Jones rarely stops smiling, especially on the football field. That's where he's happiest.
Sure, he'll face consistent double teams this year at nose tackle. He's one of the few players with any track record on a beleaguered and inexperienced defensive unit - one of the few SU players offenses will game plan around. No longer will Jones surprise opposing offensive linemen, like last year.
But football has always given Jones a reason to showcase that glowing smile - the smile Big East tailbacks are learning to fear.
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