Maurice Jones-Drew had many accomplishments in his football career.
The 100-yard games, often making something out of what appeared to be nothing. An NFL rushing title in 2011. A knee-buckling block that led highlight reels.
But beyond the gridiron, the longtime Jacksonville Jaguar made moves out of the limelight that put smiles on faces across the community.
Jones-Drew was a regular at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, especially during the latter portion of his Jacksonville career. He’d visit dozens of children facing battles that made the toughest Sunday matchup seem minuscule. And without the cameras there to witness.
“He’d arrange to say no media,” said Michael Aubin, Wolfson president. “You’re living in a big world, with big money and big highlights and yet, here he is … He just wanted to see the kids, wanted to make their day and put a smile on their faces.”
Jones-Drew was back there this morning, the same day he’s retiring as a Jaguar after nine seasons in the NFL.
This trip, though, will have cameras.
In 2013, his last year with the Jaguars, Jones-Drew donated $50,000 from his foundation to Wolfson for the build-out of a space-themed playroom, an escape on the sixth-floor that’s closest to the sky.
Jones-Drew wanted to be an astronaut as a child, Aubin said, and the interactive room reconnects to that — on the wall there’s a spaceman with the signature “32” and his name on the back.
Early reviews have the space receiving pretty high praise.
“It’s neck-and-neck with the Tim Tebow room,” Aubin said.
It’ll be the first time Jones-Drew will get a glimpse of the finished product he funded.
Jones-Drew’s off-field efforts don’t stop at Wolfson, though.
A nonprofit in Jacksonville’s Eastside has seen the smiles he can bring, too.
“You’d have to see it for yourself,” said Joyce Brinson, founder of Heart for Children. “When he walked in the room, the kids just lit up. He painted memories for them they’ll never forget.”
Heart for Children has seen thousands of underprivileged and at-risk youth ages 5-17 come through its doors for after-school programs and summer camps. Jones-Drew has helped for several years, whether it be through visits, toy drives, back-to-school efforts, Thanksgiving dinner donations or health fairs he’s sponsored.
Over time, Jones-Drew also has given the nonprofit roughly $25,000, which has helped buy computers, supplies and food for the children.
Brinson said Jones-Drew’s generosity has kept the positive environment afloat and impacted many.
“They are well deserving of it,” Brinson said of the children. “They can’t help being in their situation.”
Brinson said Jones-Drew did something others haven’t always — he showed up. His heart was in the right place. And he cared.
Attributes he displayed both on and off the field.
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