Packers RB Aaron Jones has pocket in jersey to carry father's ashes

One of the saddest stories of the opening two weeks of the 2021 NFL season involved Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones losing a necklace containing his father's ashes that he wore during the 35-17 win over the Detroit Lions on Sept. 20. That tale had a happy ending, however, as athletic trainer Bryan Engel later found the jewelry in an end zone at Lambeau Field. 

Jones and the Packers have taken steps to ensure such a calamity doesn't strike twice. 

Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Packers equipment manager Gordon "Red" Batty added a special pocket inside the left portion of Jones' jersey for the medallion that carries the ashes of Alvin Jones Sr. ahead of last Sunday's victory over the San Francisco 49ers. 

"He put a pocket right on the left side," Jones explained while motioning toward his heart. "So I can just drop it in there and not have to worry about it falling out. So I can play with it." 

Alvin Jones Sr. died of complications from COVID-19 in April at the age of 56. 

Meanwhile, the 2-1 Packers host the 1-2 Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Jones suggested he'll have the medallion in the pocket for that and other future games.