EAGAN, Minn. — Aaron Jones, Sr., has ingrained himself in the Minnesota community, but he's also looking forward to being back in his home state Sunday.
Minnesota is slated to visit Dallas on Sunday Night Football, and the game will mark Jones' first regular-season return to Texas since October 2019. A Packer at the time, Jones racked up four rushing scores and 107 yards on 19 carries.
That showing at AT&T Stadium also cemented Jones' game-day tradition of wearing a sombrero to stadiums — something he did for the first time that day.
"My mom's like, 'Hmm, I think you should keep wearing that sombrero,' " Jones had recalled, laughing.
What started as a challenge from his longtime girlfriend, who is of Hispanic heritage, soon became an authentic nod of respect to Jones' hometown of El Paso, Texas, and a recognizable trademark for Jones.
Rather than cultural appropriation, the gesture is one of cultural appreciation.
"That is his culture," said Rob Rodriguez, fellow El Paso native and one of Jones' former college coaches. "Sombreros are all over El Paso. If you go to a restaurant and celebrate birthdays in El Paso, we have mariachis all the time. Mariachis, the culture of the sombrero, it's all around us. So when Aaron started wearing one as an homage to us, an homage to his community and all the people who are still rooting for him … I thought it was really cool and unique. It put a smile on my face."
Six years later and now in Purple, Jones appreciation matched Rodriguez's while speaking about the upcoming prime-time game.
"It's the closest I'll get to playing at home, other than playing in Arizona," he said. "So, it'll be a special place to play."
It's true. Arizona's stadium is about 450 miles from El Paso, and Sunday's venue is roughly 620 from El Paso, but Jones is expecting quite the cheering section. Though he didn't have an exact number solidified, he told reporters "it's, like, over 30."
The fan club will include his immediate family but also loved ones and community members who have helped him at various points of his football journey — including a childhood close friend who shares a last name and his high school track-and-field coach.
Missing from the physical crowd will be Jones' father, Alvin Sr., who passed away in 2021.
The return will likely be bittersweet for Jones, who grew up a Cowboys fan because it aligned with his dad's fandom. He continues to treasure memories of attending NFL games together in Dallas.
"I learned so much from [my dad] and wanted to be like him," Jones noted. "So, the Cowboys became my team. But as soon as I got drafted, he put those jerseys away.
"My mom and dad did a great job to get me close enough to where I could see [the NFL dream]. And I always say, 'If you can see it, if you can touch it, it's attainable,' " he said. "I think that's kind of what helped me get here, being able to see it with my own eyes as a kid and, 'Hey, this isn't too big.' "
Jones is forever grateful for the community of El Paso (and others throughout Texas) who have supported him from day one and became Packers fans, then division-rival Vikings fans, in order to follow the running back throughout his career.
"It says a lot about the people back at home," Jones said, directing his comments directly toward them. "I truly thank you. I'm really nothing without you guys. … You guys are part of the support system.
"When I throw up the 9-1-5, it's a tribute to them back home, letting them know I appreciate them," he added. "At one point in time on this journey, they were the only people who believed in me. So, I just tip my hat to them."
