Following a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football, the standout running back joined the NBC postgame crew at U.S. Bank Stadium.
He was asked if he ever reflects on his career and how he got to this point as a former fifth-round pick.
That was the perfect question that led to an incredible answer from Aaron Jones.
“I have. Matter of fact, today, you said I always wear the (purple) sombrero, I left it in the locker room at TCO so I ran over there right before I had to be here, 20 minutes,” he said. “I normally put flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker, so I walked by, I see the flowers and I’m the only one in there.
I just had a moment with him, told him tonight’s for him, and then when I got here, warming up, I turned and see his parents. His parents were here, I shared that story with them, and then go in the locker room and I got a gift from a military soldier sitting in my locker. “
For those that do not remember, Jackon was the Vikings’ fourth-round pick this year who tragically passed in a car crash in July.
In his memory, the team has kept his locker open at both U.S. Bank Stadium and their TCO Performance Center facility.
The Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive back died in a three-car crash in Maryland, with the team about three weeks away from starting training camp.
“And it just gave me a moment of gratitude,” Aaron Jones said. “Just how thankful I am to be able to play this game, the game that I love. So many people wish they could play this game or be at this level, and just to make it to this level, even when people are doubting you, just a moment of gratitude and thank God for putting me in this position, putting me here.”
