Police say Patriots DE Chandler Jones 'desperately' sought help

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones apologized Thursday for making "a pretty stupid mistake" that led him to be hospitalized Sunday after having a bad reaction to a substance he put into his body.



Jones was "desperately" seeking police assistance when he showed up at the rear entrance of the Foxborough public safety building on Sunday morning, according to an incident report released by Foxborough town officials earlier Thursday.



Sources told ESPN that the substance inhis body was not illegal. On Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the situation, The Boston Globe reported that the substance was synthetic marijuana.



"I want to start off by saying I made a pretty stupid mistake this weekend," Jones said Thursday. "I feel I need to apologize to everyone. But right now, like I said, I made a mistake. Each and every day, all I can focus on is Kansas City. I know it sounds competitive and it sounds like I'm repeating myself. That's what it is right now; becoming the best 95 I can be to help this team out."



The Patriots play the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC divisional-round playoff game Saturday. Jones' jersey number is 95.



Officer David J. Foscaldo wrote that he was about to start his shift around 7:40 a.m. Sunday when he observed a shirtless Jones, who was wearing blue sweatpants, "randomly scurry" through a portion of the station's parking lot.



Jones then suddenly made a direct line for the station's rear door. Then, Foscaldo wrote, Jones got down on his knees and interlocked his fingers and placed his hands tightly against the back of his head, without any warning or provocation.



Foscaldo wrote that Jones held this position for one to two seconds before slowly moving toward the ground.



"Honestly, it appeared as if he was actively praying or worshipping," Foscaldo wrote. "At times, this man would return to an upright position, this same movement/motion was repeated at least twice."



Foscaldo wrote that Jones was unable to provide police a "plausible or legitimate" explanation as to why he was at the police station or why he headed for the rear door.



"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 by-laws," Foscaldo wrote.



Foscaldo's report said Jones was unarmed and he did not have any narcotics on him or in his possession.



Jones was "polite, cooperative and respectful" for the "vast majority of our interaction with him," Foscaldo wrote. "Mr. Jones did not resist, nor was he ever argumentative or confrontational."



After Jones was escorted to the police station's front parking lot, Foscaldo wrote that paramedics from Foxborough's fire department took custody of Jones. "It was a medical issue and it was certainly not a police matter," Foscaldo wrote.



While in an ambulance with the paramedics, Jones said he left his keys at home. When police went to Jones' home to retrieve the keys, an officer noticed the smell of burnt marijuana.



The NFL is also aware of Jones' visit to Norwood Hospital and will review the situation.



On Thursday, other than apologizing, Jones repeatedly dodged questions from reporters by saying that he was just looking ahead to Saturday's game against the Chiefs.



"Like I said, I want to apologize to all the fans and everyone who support," Jones said. "This week, I'm focused on having probably the biggest game of my life and just try to clear this. Like I said, I made a stupid mistake, and hopefully it can just blow by."



Jones, who was a first-round pick (21st overall) by the Patriots in 2012, reportedly was present at the Patriots' facility at 6:30 a.m. Monday. He was lifting weights and did not miss any team activities.



He led the team with 12.5 sacks this season.



On Thursday, coach Bill Belichick said during his news conference that nothing is more important to him than Jones' health and that he doesn't have anything to add to the team's statement. He wouldn't say whether the medical situation would affect Jones' participation in Saturday's playoff game against the Chiefs.



"We'll see on Saturday. I could just Xerox you a copy of the game plan and you can send it over to Kansas City. That might be easier for all of us," Belichick said.



ESPN Staff Writer Mike Reiss contributed to this report.



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