CINCINNATI -- Bengals CB Adam "Pacman" Jones said his relationship with team owner Mike Brown has motivated him "to be the best" and teared up while speaking about him during an interview Thursday.
"Personally, motivation is through the roof when you have a guy upstairs that stands up for you, that sticks up for the players," Jones said. "I haven't been around a guy like that in my lifetime, speaking of Mr. Brown, so I'm very eager to be the best and make sure our group is the best."
Jones has faced some difficulties this year. He was arrested in January after a Downtown hotel security guard said Jones was "pushing and poking" him in the eye, and authorities later released video showing Jones ranting and insulting a police officer that night.
The NFL announced this month that Jones will be suspended for the team's season opener and he will be docked $425,000 for the game's pay.
The incident also prompted sportscaster Bob Costas this week to say the Bengals "seem to be running a halfway house for miscreants."
However, Brown has stuck by Jones. In addition to keeping him on the team through everything, Brown said that he likes Jones personally.
"I think he can overcome this," Brown said. "I'm prepared to give him a chance to do it."
Jones said Thursday that he talks to Brown every day at practice and said he appreciates that Brown understands him and "is not quick to judge."
"The respect and love that I have for Mr. Brown is undeniable," Jones said. "Words cannot express the gratitude I feel about him."
Jones was tearing up then and abruptly ended the interview.
"That's it," he said, ducking his head down and walking away from reporters. "See y'all."
