Patriots' Jones Closes Communication With His Brother As Battle Looms
Sometimes even family isn't bigger than football, and that seems to be the case as Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones is in radio silence mode this week heading into Sunday's battle against his brother Arthur's team, the Baltimore Ravens.
 Chandler Jones isn't talking to his brother as the Patriots prepare to battle his sibling's team in Baltimore on Sunday. (USA TODAY Images) |
Normally the two are very close, but both players need wins by their football teams to secure a playoff birth, and in the Patriots case, also an AFC East crown. New England missed that chance last Sunday in Miami, and the focus seems a little higher at Gillette Stadium this week as they look to try and bounce back and win a tough road game.
As a result Arthur's been shut out recently, with no answer from his younger brother despite numerous phone calls and text messages.
“Every single week we talk, except this week,” Arthur Jones told Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I don’t know what [Patriots coach Bill] Belichick told him, but he hasn’t talked to me. I feel kind of offended. I checked the injury reports to make sure he’s all right, to make sure he’s still breathing. It’s uncommon. He hasn’t called me, he hasn’t texted me.
“I guess they run a real tight ship over there. I’m going to continue calling him and texting him. I’m blowing his phone up. I’m kind of nervous. It's unlike him. Maybe he doesn’t want to give too much away. If you’re listening, answer your brother’s phone call. I'm feeling some type of way."
Chandler Jones was on the losing end of New England's AFC Championship match-up against his brother last season, and then went on to watch him get a ring when the Ravens defeated San Francisco to win Super Bowl XLVII.
Chandler Jones was reportedly at the Super Bowl in support of his brother, but while he was there, it's likely that deep down he's hoping to eventually get his own opportunity. Now the road to get there has to start by taking down his big brother's team this weekend. Arthur Jones has already gotten the better of him twice, telling the newspaper, "We're going to try to make it 3-0."
As a result, Chandler Jones will likely continue shutting off the communication until Sunday's game is over. Hopefully when the radio silence ends, he'll be bragging to Arthur about New England's victory.
