Coleman’s spirituality seen in his sportsmanship
Julio Jones didn’t know what to expect when Carolina Panthers safety Kurt Coleman ran over to him after he’d just dropped an easy touchdown pass in the end zone.
Instead of rubbing it in his face, the former Ohio State player put his arm around him and told Jones, “Glory to God.”
Jones said he had never met or talked to Coleman before that play.
“I guess he’s a very spiritual guy,” Jones said. “He said some spiritual things to me, that was it.”
No taunting. No antics. Just empathy for a competitor.
Coleman has received positive feedback on social media for his sportsmanship, but downplayed it this week in the locker room.
“No one felt worse than he did,” Coleman said of Jones. “... In a society where we often criticize others or chastise other people for making mistakes, we forget that we often make our own.”
It was an unusual display of a sportsmanship between intense division rivals.
Carolina had won three straight NFC South championships before the Falcons wrestled the title away last season. Sunday’s game had huge implications in the division standings, with both teams chasing Drew Brees and the first-place New Orleans Saints.
“Let’s not get this wrong, I’m not going to apologize for him dropping the ball,” Coleman said.
Not one expects that. But no one expected Coleman’s reaction either, including Jones. The Atlanta wideout said he was taken aback by Coleman’s graciousness.
The Falcons were trailing 20-10 in the fourth quarter when Jones got behind safety Mike Adams by more than 10 yards on fourth down. He looked over his shoulder to catch Matt Ryan’s pass, but inexplicably dropped the ball.
It was a catch Ryan would later say Jones makes “100 out of 100 times.” The Falcons would score later in the fourth quarter, but Carolina held on to win 20-17 as Jones’ drop loomed large.
Coleman, who was not involved in the play, ran some 25 yards just to talk to Jones.
“I saw his body language,” Coleman said. “As a player respecting another player and how great he is, I just wanted to tell him, ‘Glory to God, man, in all things.’ ”
Jones clarifies position on Goodell
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said his objection to a contract extension for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is not because of star running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.
Jones said on his radio show Friday that he wants all 32 owners to have a chance to approve the deal being negotiated between Goodell and the compensation committee that includes six owners. Jones is not on the committee.
Jones said the committee could appease him by agreeing to let the remaining owners review and approve the final contract with Goodell.
Injury update
• Cornerback Richard Sherman was lost for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right leg in the Seahawks’ 22-16 win over the Cardinals on Thursday.
• The NFL confirmed it is reviewing whether the Seahawks followed proper concussion protocol with quarterback Russell Wilson when he was sent off the field in the third quarter after taking a hard hit. He missed one play.
• The Cardinals lost left offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (MCL injury, dislocated kneecap) and their leading tackler, safety Tyvon Branch (cartilage, ACL injuries), for the season in the loss to Seattle.