On Sunday morning, New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones was hospitalized after showing up at the Foxborough police station seeking help for what reports have said was a bad reaction to synthetic marijuana. And now further details have emerged about his interaction with the police, including how a cop watched a shirtless Jones “randomly scurry” through the station parking lot, make a beeline for the rear door, and then got down on his knees in a praying position near the entrance reserved for authorized personnel.
Jones reportedly lives near the station, and walked there after he had the reaction. Upon his arrival, according to reports released today by the police, it was apparent that Jones hadn’t done anything wrong, but rather needed assistance. Via the Boston Globe:
“It was quite evident that Mr. Jones was desperately seeking our assistance, and he had certainly not committed any crimes — nor had he violated any laws or town bylaws,’’ [Officer David J.] Foscaldo wrote, adding that Jones was escorted to the fire department to be examined by EMTs.
“It was a medical issue and it was certainly not a police matter,’’ Foscaldo wrote.
Meanwhile, another officer who was sent to Jones’s house when the defensive end remembered he’d forgotten his keys reported a “smell of burnt marijuana.”
Officer Foscaldo noted that Jones was not wearing a shirt and began to move strangely. Again, via the Globe:
“Without any warning or provocation, this man got down on his knees, he interlocked his fingers, and he placed his hands tightly against the back of his head. For a quick second or two, this man held this position - it was like this man was trying to surrender (he was literally ‘as stiff as a board’/he was both upright and rigid).”
Next, the officer wrote, Jones moved slowly toward the ground: “Honestly, it appeared as if he was actively praying or worshiping.”
Some of the records had information deleted or redacted, though the town manager says those actions were taken because of state laws concerning medical confidentiality.
Synthetic marijuana is not on the NFL’s list of banned substances, and while the league can punish players for breaking the law, it’s not illegal in Massachusetts. (According to Deadspin, it has been banned in Boston, but appears to be legal in Foxborough.) The NFL will reportedly review the situation.
Jones spoke briefly with reporters today, saying he “made a pretty stupid mistake this weekend.”
The Patriots play the Chiefs in the playoffs on Saturday.
