FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots defensive lineman Chandler Jones apologized to his teammates and the New England fans on Thursday for "a pretty stupid mistake" that led brought him, shirtless and disoriented, to a local police station. Police who went to his house said it smelled like burning marijuana.
Appearing in the New England locker room with 2 minutes left in the team’s last media availability of the week, the Pro Bowl selection declined to answer most questions and said he was focusing on Saturday’s playoff game against the Chiefs.
According to police records released earlier Thursday, Jones showed up at the back door of the Foxborough Police station on at about 7:40 a.m. on Sunday. When approached by officers, he dropped to his knees and locked his hands behind his head.
The police report said Jones was co-operative and "desperately seeking our assistance." He was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was admitted and released the same day.
An officer who went to Jones’ house to retrieve the player’s keys commented on the smell of marijuana, the report said.
Jones did not elaborate on what happened Sunday. Standing at his locker in a Patriots sweatshirt, he said he was trying to focus on the divisional playoff game against the Chiefs. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to comment on whether the league would investigate or impose discipline.
The Patriots said Jones did not miss any practice or meetings this week. Coach Bill Belichick also declined to comment earlier Thursday on whether Jones would be benched for his behaviour.
"We’ll find out on Saturday," the coach said dismissively. "I can just Xerox you a copy of the game plan, you can send it over to Kansas City. That might be easier for all of us."
