CHARACTER COUNTS

NFL player takes teen to prom for special-needs students

Apr 17, 2018, 9:41 AM

This photo taken April 13, 2018 by Kristi Martin, shows her daughter Lindsey Preston, next to NFL p...

This photo taken April 13, 2018 by Kristi Martin, shows her daughter Lindsey Preston, next to NFL player Don Jones at Preston's prom in Moulton, Ala. Jones a defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers, too, to the county-wide event for high school students with special needs. (Kristi Martin via AP)

(Kristi Martin via AP)

MOULTON, Ala. (AP) — A special-needs student had a one-of-a-kind prom date when an NFL player returned to his home county in Alabama to take her to the dance.

Don Jones is a 27-year-old defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers who is from Lawrence County. He told WBRC-TV it was a “blessing” to go to the prom Friday night with 18-year-old Lindsey Preston, who has Down syndrome.

Jones is a family friend. His mother taught Preston in elementary school.

Preston’s mom, Kristi Martin, tells The Associated Press that Jones danced with all the students and “made everybody feel special.”

Jones played at Arkansas State before going pro. He has played for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.

Character Counts

Refugio "Coach Kuko" Juarez at the Arizona Sports studios....

Character Counts

Refugio ‘Coach Kuko’ Juarez named Arizona Sports Coach of the Month

Refugio Juarez has been named as the Arizona Sports Coach of the Month winner for uplifting the soccer players at La Academia in Mesa.

1 day ago

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz talks about new Cardinals defensive player Darius Robinson....

David Veenstra

Arizona Cardinals DL Darius Robinson’s impact goes far beyond the field

Cardinals DL Darius Robinson started his own nonprofit foundation at Missouri and his goal is to host three charitable events each year.

5 days ago

Manager Torey Lovullo (L) and general manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks meet before Ga...

David Veenstra

MLB feature showcases inseparable bond between Diamondbacks’ Hazen and Lovullo

MLB published a short-form documentary centered around the friendship between D-backs general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo. 

25 days ago

Devin Booker gifts Purdue men's basketball with Book 1s...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker gifts pair of Final Four teams Nike Book 1s

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker gifted Alabama and Purdue men's basketball teams with Nike Book 1s ahead of the Final Four.

26 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. looks on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. eyeing ways to extend his foundation’s reach in Arizona

Don't let his age fool you, Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. is no stranger to giving back to the communities around him.

1 month ago

Runners take off after the starting gun at Pat's Run in Tempe. The race, will be run on April 13 th...

Character Counts

The 20th annual Pat’s Run set take place in Tempe on April 13

The 20th iteration of Pat's Run is set to take place in Tempe on April 13 to honor the life and legacy of Pat Tillman.

2 months ago

NFL player takes teen to prom for special-needs students