Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Drugs Destroy Body Is Other Message

Tom Osborne and the University of Nebraska football team took a backseat to the Prescott Curley Wolves Monday, Feb. 5.

Paul Jones, who was to be the featured speaker at the Cornhusker's championship dinner in Nebraska, informed Osborne, UN head coach, of his prior commitment to the Wolves at their football banquet.

Osborne, Jones said, had no problem with the cancellation, telling Jones it was more important to be in Prescott with the younger players.

Jones told the overflow crowd at Prescott's Primary School cafetorium he wanted to be in professional football.

His first job in football, though, was with a junior college as a recruiter.

He told the throng the head coach gave him the assignment to recruit players who could turn the school's program around from being losers to taking the junior college national championship.

According to Jones, this was accomplished in one season.

He worked two years as a scout with the college, before a young player asked for his assistance in obtaining a pro football contract.

This led to Jones forming the Southern Sports Agency. As owner of the agency he represented professional athletes.

But, while Jones was representing athletes, professional teams were scouting his talent with players.

The New York Jets offered him a job as their personnel director, and he was also being courted by the Dallas Cowboys.

However, when Cal Murphy, a friend of his, offered him the slot with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the director of player personnel, he jumped at the chance.

During his first year with the Bombers, they won Canada's Grey Cup, the equivilant to America's Super Bowl.

Jones told those gathered the Bombers are the fifth winningest franchise in all of professional sports, and have the most playoff appearances and wins in professional football.

"There is no greater experience than to be a champion," he told his audience. "It takes time and dedication, and a special group to accomplish what you've done," he continued, speaking to the Wolves on their winning the state AA playoff title.

"But, you must carry yourself as a champion in real life; in the classroom and community.

"You must show young people how to be champions in the right manner. Go to class and do your best. Apply yourself. Respect those who have helped you, your teachers, parents and guardians. You need to respect them."

Jones said those people who do not have self discipline or pride and will not respect others become failures.

He told the players, and others on hand, to say no to drugs, alcohol, tobacco and steroids.

"No champion involves themselves with these. They hurt your body," he said. "Your health won't hold up on these."

He related a story about a young player, whom he said could have been the best defensive end in football, who'se life was destroyed because of drugs.

Jones said this person went from being a 6-7 270 pound man to a 190 pounder who lost everything, including his mind, because of drugs.

"All he had to do was step back and say no," Jones said.

He also told the players not to hit a comfort zone, but to work hard each day at getting better.

The players were told they need to work hard in the off season and do more than is expected of them in order to continue winning titles.

"Work hard and you'll always be successful," Jones said.