“The rest of my career will be dedicated to my father. My dad is everything to me, never missed a game. I know he would want me to continue to push forward, work hard, and continue to reach the goals we’ve set. So I’m going to continue to do that. I’m going to continue to honor him.” This is how the Vikings‘ star running back Aaron Jones remembers his late father Alvin Jones Sr. But do you know how the army veteran, who used to be on the sideline of every single game for his beloved son, passed away?

In the massive hit of COVID-19, Alvin Jones Sr suffered severe complications due to the pandemic, and it culminated in an army veteran’s tragic death on April 6, 2021. It was the time when Aaron used to play for the Green Bay Packers. After the death of Alvin Sr., Vurgess Jones, a single mother of Aaron and siblings, took care of her children.

The Minnesota Vikings #33 reacted to his father’s death by saying, “Heart torn into a million pieces I’m so proud of you I love You, Dad.” He poured his heart out on Instagram in 2021, and he continued, “I promise I’ll always protect and take care of our Queen and the rest Family you’ve raised me and have been preparing Vino and me for 26 years !”

Aaron was Alvin Jones Sr’s favorite child. The 5-foot-9 got selected by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. Before playing under HC Matt LaFleur in the Packers, he played for the UTEP Miners. After that, he got picked up for his dynamic running and sacking skills.

Many would be shocked to know something unusual yet powerful that Jones does to remember his late father. Do you know what it is? He wears his dad’s ashes around his neck in a pendant shaped like a football in every Vikings game. Aaron Jones thanked Eternava Jewelry brand for creating his pendant, which makes him feel his late dad was with him.

Aaron’s NFL journey came through his disciplined dad and caring and hardworking mom. But what does Jones’ mom do?

All about Aaron Jones’ mom and dad

Aaron’s mom is also a retired Army vet and served the country for 27 years. After her retirement, Vurgess Jones, admitted in an interview, “I knew when my military journey was over, my family would be there, so I made sacrifices so that I could be a mother first.” In her 27 years of deployment, the Jones family had to move to several places in the USA. Vurgess, a mom of four, has also served in Iraq, Korea, Bosnia, and Germany.

Recalling his Dad’s learnings, Aaron said, “My dad is the greatest man I’ve ever encountered. He taught me everything. He showed me how a man’s supposed to be a man.”

“To a great person. His legacy will not be forgotten. Tonight we toast to you Mr. Alvin Jones Sr,” Chelsi’Rae, Aaron’s sister, expressed feelings for her father when opening a new bar in El Paso on her late father’s first death anniversary.

It’s safe to say that while Jones Sr. is not with the family anymore, the Jones family is moving forward while keeping him close to their hearts (quite literally).