Thank You Aki! The paragraphs below have been written way to soon, the sudden and shocking passing of Aki Jones is hard to digest. He le...
Thank You Aki!
The paragraphs below have been written way to soon, the sudden and shocking passing of Aki Jones is hard to digest. He left a gap that will be hard to fill.
He was large not
only by statue - a Fordham Alumni, Redskins Defensive Lineman, played
football in Poland, Finland, was a broadcaster for BBC and columnist
for TDEU, and most recently was a member of the Front Office of Miami
Dolphins, he even starred in a Polish comedy as a "Big
Chocolate".
The only part
about the paragraph above, that we all can not accept is the past
form of the verbs.
This text is a simple
thank you note -We owe to Aki Jones and his family .
I had the chance to
work with Aki during a Football Camp that I've organized almost four
years ago in Poznan, Aki Jones along Mark Philmore, Jacek Wallusch and
Willie Sherid were the coaching staff - working with more than 50
young players from lower division teams.
Aki coached the
Lineman, taught them fundamentals, was focused on details.
He tested and approved the newly welded homemade sled.
Later that day he spoke and patiently answered the questions about
strength and conditioning, life in the NFL and any other that
participants came up with.
After the whole day
of work I gave him and Mark Philmore a ride to the hotel, and then a ride to the center of Poznan. I asked Aki if I could copy the 2005
Redskins Conditioning Manual - sure no problem he said - so instead of
going out with them I was in a copy shop copying it, page by page.
It
took me like an hour and by time I finished my eyes were hurting.
On Sunday morning,
I picked up Aki and Mark and they were both ready to rock. During a
break all of the Coaching Staff - had to sign 70 Certificates - no
problem with that. At the end of the event they were presented to
the participants.
Aki Jones loved the game
of Football, he was truly an Ambassador, but his life was more than
just gridiron.
As a writer, his
Pass-Sporting Diaries were, in my opinion by far the best articles
published on TDEU. Not only Aki has seen a lot as an Import and had
lots of stories to share. He was intelligent, outspoken with a great
sense of humor and sarcasm. The texts covered various on and off the
field issues that an import player may encounter, when playing
overseas. They are still available and if you haven't read them I
highly recommend them.
Earlier this year I
had the chance to travel around the US, while preparing my itinerary
I was thinking about visiting Miami to meet with Aki. Unfortunately I
didn't go there, but thought that there always is the next year...
For all of Us who
knew Aki, played, coached, with or against him the form WAS is
hardly acceptable right now, it happened way ahead of His time. As his
actions and his legacy lives on I prefer the form HAS BEEN.
Aki Jones has been 31
years old, in that time he graduated from a respected Fordham
University, lived NFL dream, helped establishing football overseas.
He had successfully transitioned to a post-playing career.
But more importantly
he loved life, was a down to earth guy, intelligent, positive. In
those few autumn days in Poznan few years ago, we had more than 50
kids, going up to 600km - one way, to learn from Aki, Mark, Jacek and
Willie.
As I'm writing these words I look at the copy of the
Redskins Conditioning Manual, the Certificate he has signed. Four
years later the sled Aki tested is still used, teaching fundamentals.
Perhaps His biggest
contribution are the young players he mentored in Wroclaw, Warsaw and
other places he played .
I'm more than sure
that Aki is right now in a better place,you will not be forgotten and
our thought and prayers are with your family and friends.
If there is one
lesson we should learn from Aki's life is to seize our opportunities,
chase our dreams . Have sense of humor and be positive everyday.
Thank you Aki!
Wojciech Andrzejczak
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