'He's a champion to so many': Aaron Jones takes pride in work outside of football

Football is just a small part of who Aaron Jones is and what he represents.

Yes, the former Burges High School and UTEP star running back and current member of the Green Bay Packers has 5,284 career rushing yards in the NFL, including 1,121 this past season, and he was a three-sport star in high school and led UTEP to a bowl game appearance in 2014.

But more importantly, Jones is an El Paso treasure, a man whose impact in the world goes beyond scoring touchdowns or making the playoffs. Jones makes the common person happy, he impacts people daily in different parts of the country and that’s why he’s a nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, one of the league’s most honorable and prestigious awards. The award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the field. All 32 NFL teams have a nominee.

El Pasoans Blanca Sandoval and Victor Mendoza can attest to Jones' impact when he was a student at Burges. In 2013, Mendoza, a special needs student at the school, was named prom king with the help of Jones' support, a moment which to this day makes Sandoval, who is Mendoza's mother, become emotional. Jones spent a great deal of time helping promote his friend Mendoza for the honor and helping create a long-lasting memory for him and the family.

"Aaron was arguably the most popular person in school, he was in the news every week and there he was helping my son feel special, feel great and pushing for him to get the prom king honor," Sandoval said. "He took time to really develop a friendship with Victor and that meant the world to my son, my family. That act of kindness still impacts our family."

Mendoza is unable to speak, but Sandoval said he understands everything spoken to him and to this day, Jones has remained in contact with her son and the family.

"Aaron has a beautiful heart; his family is truly an inspiration," Sandoval said. "To see my son have that type of joy 10 years ago was beautiful and it truly hit at the heart of who Aaron Jones is as a person. He cherished my son's friendship; we cherished him back as well. Aaron seeks to make others happy and he's made such a big impact on El Paso and everybody who comes across his path."

Jones has impacted many people in different walks of life through the work of his foundation, the A&A All The Way Foundation, with his twin brother, Alvin Jones. In 2022 alone, the foundation raised $824,000, had 450-plus camp attendees, gave 1,800 families Thanksgiving turkeys, helped 450 military families, handed out 132 new bikes and distributed more than 1,200-plus shoes.

“To give back is one of my callings, just to serve others, use my platform and let the youth know there are people there for them,” said Jones, who graduated from Burges in 2013 and played for UTEP from 2013-16. “It’s an honor to be a nominee for this award. It’s really about giving back to people and seeing others enjoy the moment and seeing them smile.”

The foundation helps address children's basic needs, providing opportunities for recreation and fitness, and supports children in military families.

His Yards for Shoes campaign donates a pair of shoes to children at Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Wisconsin for every rushing yard he gains up to 1,000 yards. The Freedom Is Campaign honors military families each month by raising funds to provide experiences to children who have parents serving in the military, such as a trip to the zoo or a family movie night. Each year, Jones holds a football camp at Burges High School for the area's youth.

Jones credits his parents, Vurgess and Alvin Jones Sr., with instilling service to others in him when he was young.

“My parents pushed me, encouraged me to have an impact on our community, on others' lives,” he said. "My home means a great deal to me and the people of El Paso mean a great deal to me."

Other El Pasoans have taken notice.

Burges girls basketball coach Cynthia Hernandez has stayed close with Jones and said he's remained the same person he is from his time in high school.

“He’d work closely with the Special Olympics and he would spend time with kids in need and help make them feel great,” Hernandez said. “Aaron isn’t just about talk: He participates, he gives back to so many people in various ways. He’s helped kids in our program. He does something every year for so many. Aaron has been able to use his platform in so many positive ways and he’s certainly someone people look up to and respect.”

Adriana Ruiz, the principal of Hawkins Elementary School, has seen Jones repeatedly help the youth of El Paso.

“He’s blessed others,” Ruiz said. “He’s really involved in the process of helping his community and that stands out. He deserves to win the award, he’s a down to earth human being and has a beautiful heart. He does it because he wants to make a difference.”

Added former Burges coach James Routledge: "We’re proud of Aaron. He’s what you want out of an ex-athlete. He’s just a great person and he’s represented El Paso, Burges, UTEP and the NFL in a wonderful way.”

The 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year will be announced during NFL Honors, a prime-time awards special to air Thursday night on NBC, before Sunday's Super Bowl LVII on Fox. All 32 nominees will receive up to a $40,000 donation in their name to their charity of choice. The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award will receive a $250,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

"He's a champion to so many, he's given so much to the people of El Paso and it does not go unnoticed," Sandoval said.

Felix F. Chavez may be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Aaron Jones up for 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year honor