Improving On and Off the Field

Published on April 11, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY - There are two different sides to the Tampa Bay Storm's Richard Jones.

On the football field, the second-year pro is an aggressive force, racking up a host of tackles at the defensive lineman position.

Away from the gridiron, he is more reserved, focused on an up and coming music career and finally at peace with himself after devoting his life to Christ.

But there was a time, he says, when the same fervor he plays with on the field translated to poor behavior off of it.

"I was doing some really bad things that were getting me in trouble with the law, some real stupid things," Jones said. "I knew I needed to change, and I knew the next time I messed up would be the time when I asked God once and for all for forgiveness. I made a promise to him and to myself that I would do right."

Jones' story is a remarkable one of redemption.

From a young age, the Storm lineman had always enjoyed music and began writing lyrics in a notebook beginning when he was a student in high school. Back then, however, the lyrical content often contained messages about drugs, guns and violence.

That all changed one night, when an encounter with police seemingly destined to end unfavorably for Jones manifested itself as a blessing in disguise.

And it truly was a blessing.

Jones was stopped one night by local law enforcement authorities and placed in the back of a police cruiser. Just before the officers prepared to search Jones for any weapons, the gun he had been carrying became wedged underneath the bottom of his seat.

"I was just praying the entire time," Jones recalled. "I remember looking up at the sky and closing my eyes and just asking God, "˜please, just get me out of this one.' That was really the telling moment for me."

With the gun not on his person, Jones was let free. Among the many life changes he made from that point forward, one in particular was his music.

"I realized that I didn't want my music to be hurtful to people anymore," Jones added. "I felt like I was a happier person once I turned my life over to Jesus and I felt a lot of joy. I wanted to share that joy with others."

One way to do that, while still pursuing his passion for music, was to begin writing lyrics about salvation and the positive influences of Christ in one's life.

In 2009, a visit to a local church proved to be a launching pad to an upstart career as a Christian rapper.

It was Easter Sunday, and a pastor had invited Jones to perform a poem at that day's mass. After reciting the lines and seeing the positive reaction from the audience, including raucous applause and a widespread display of smiles, Jones knew he had reached his calling.

"Things weren't going my way, so I placed all my trust in Jesus and I truly believe he led me down the right path to where I am now," Jones said.

Today, Jones continues to perform as an artist under the label J-Fam music label. He is one member of the Christian rap group Soldiers of God, abbreviated S.O.G. Recently, he released a single that is currently available for purchase on iTunes, entitled, "Jesus I Need You." Fans can also sample his music at bigrichonline.com.

While Jones appears he is on the path to success in the music industry, he stated that his career is still in its beginning stages. Jones just finished laying down the tracks for his new album, and has already recorded each of the songs, but is waiting for the record to be mixed before it is released to the public later this year.

The album, entitled "The Transformation," is a collection of tracks that illustrates Jones' fight to change his life through the help of Christ.

"It's an accurate account of everything I went through in the past and while tough at the time, it helped me change and grow into a better person."

Both on and off the field.

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