As he met with reporters Thursday for the first time since last season, Marvin Jones was asked how he's handled the past several months.
"It's been really crazy, and obviously everybody in this world can say that based on everything that has happened and continues to happen," said Jones. "But it's been, for me, a time of family."
We've all endured the coronavirus pandemic. Jones has dealt with something far worse. The Lions wide receiver has been living with a hole in his heart since his infant son Marlo passed away suddenly last December. For Jones and his wife Jazmyn, five children became four just a few days after Christmas.
Asked how he's coped with the loss, Jones said it's hard to fully accept. But he's found solidarity with those who have endured similar tragedies.
"I think what gives me strength is you find out that there's a lot of stories of people who stuff like that has happened to them, losing a family member," said Jones. "That was obviously the first time that's happened to me on a level of that magnitude, but just hearing a lot of other people, hearing their voices and experiences.
"I don't think you can ever really fully cope with that. I have my days. But at the same time, there are thousands and thousands of people who reached out to me about their experiences. That's pretty much what it is."
Marlo passed away two days before Detroit's season finale. Jones was on injured reserve at the time, but came to Ford Field with his family to take part in a pregame tribute. He said the love from his teammates, the fans and the Lions organization meant a lot.
Slay Dedicates Pro Bowl Cleats To Marlo Jones
"It was an experience that I very much appreciated from the standpoint of the Lions showing love and the fans and my teammates. It was just a powerful moment that I think was good for us and good for my family," said Jones. "That's pretty much all I'll say about that. My son's in a better place, so that makes me happy."
A post shared by Marvin Jones Jr (@marvinjonesjr) on Dec 29, 2019 at 2:36pm PST
Given his pain, it seems the quarantine came at the right time for Jones. It gave him eight months with his family at home in San Diego. He got to spend more time with his wife. He got to watch his kids go through virtual learning. And they welcomed a new member to the clan along the way, a red European Doberman named Fuego that Jones and his wife brought home from Oregon.
"People who know me know I'm not really an animal person, but my wife and my kids are animal people and have been asking me for a dog for a while. I really like Dobermans. It had to be a specific dog for me," said Jones.
Fuego came home in style. Instead of driving the 20 hours to and from the breeder, Jones chartered a private jet both ways.
"I told my wife, 'This is already an expensive dog.' I'm over here, my first time on a private jet and I'm picking up a dang dog," Jones said.
But it sounds like Fuego has made a good first impression.
"He's a beast," said Jones.
As for football, Jones is good to go. He's fully recovered from the ankle injury that sidelined him for the final three games of last season, and he had plenty of backyard resources in San Diego -- including a 60-yard turf field and a sand court -- to stay in shape. He even invited fellow Lions wide receivers Quintez Cephus and Victor Bolden over for a few training sessions.
"I was getting it in every day and grinding," said Jones. "It actually did a lot for me in terms of being ready and having my body prepared. It was pretty much business as usual for what I do in the offseason."
Pulled up to the BZN Estate now my young --s BZN Certified!! @vic._____ @qodeep_87 -------- #BZN
A post shared by Marvin Jones Jr (@marvinjonesjr) on May 31, 2020 at 12:51pm PDT
Now that he's back in town for training camp, Jones is itching for the season to start. He has sky-high expectations for the Lions' passing attack and he's simply been away from football for too long. All that time with his family was meaningful, no doubt. But Jones is ready to begin the next chapter of his career in Detroit.
He didn't blink when asked if he considered opting out of the season to stay in San Diego.
"No, I was out there for about 8 months," Jones said. "It's time to play football."
