The Daily Orange

Media Credit: Court Hathaway

Art Jones' life philosophy revolves around a simple phrase: Everything happens for a reason. It's a cliché, but one that has guided Jones through life's toughest times, including the death of his sister when he was in the eighth grade. This mantra provides Jones with undying faith in the world, for he profoundly knows that an unseen higher power has a master plan. For the son of a pastor, spiritual belief provides a backbone, a foundation.

For a brief moment one fateful February day, this core value was challenged. About two months had passed since Jones decided to forgo the NFL Draft and return to Syracuse for his senior season. He may have been a second-round pick, which likely would have led to a substantial payday.

Jones was in the weight room, with his brother, Chandler, nearby. On each side of Jones rested five 45-pound discs - 500 pounds in total of sheer resistance to bench press. "I was trying to lift the whole weight room," said Jones, Syracuse's star defensive tackle.

He tried one rep too many. He felt a pop in his chest. At first, Jones thought it was just a charley horse. Then he looked down and knew it was something more. It was a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery - a diagnosis severe enough to provoke thoughts of doomsday for any athlete. But then he remembered his time-tested chorus.

"I believe God has a plan for me, and everything happens for a reason," Jones said. "If that happened right after the season or right around the combine, I could have gone seventh round to free agent. So it definitely was a blessing."

Jones is healthy now, back to lead the Orange's defensive line. Instead of bolting for the allure of professional football, Jones chose to stay in school and instantly becomes one of the best players in the Big East. As he rehabbed from his injury for six long months, he couldn't help but consider how lucky he really was. Quickly, Jones' faith was restored.

The decision to remain at Syracuse was far more complicated than Jones likes to let on. He was already a hot commodity after the 2007 season, when he burst onto the scene with 17.5 tackles for loss. His performance on one of the grandest stages in the sport only proved his value. He exploded for 15 tackles in SU's stunning 24-23 win at Notre Dame last year. Suddenly, the entire country knew Art Jones' name.

From that day on, Jones' phone wouldn't stop ringing. Everybody wanted a piece of him. The NFL seemed like the best option. His stock may never have been higher. "After the Notre Dame game, I had at least one foot really out the door," Jones said.

Continued...

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