The backup quarterback nobody talks about just became the talk of the NFL. Mac Jones took snaps for the San Francisco 49ers and reminded everyone why the Patriots drafted him 15th overall in 2021.
Mac Jones' Real Government Name Is Michael McCorkle Jones
Mac Jones’ Real Government Name Is Michael McCorkle Jones (Screenshot Via X/@NFL_DovKleiman)
But it wasn’t just his performance getting attention. Fans discovered his legal name and absolutely lost it over what his birth certificate actually says.
Mac Jones’ Real Government Name Is Michael McCorkle Jones
The 26-year-old quarterback’s full legal name is Michael McCorkle Jones. That’s right. McCorkle.
The former Alabama standout went by Mac Jones throughout his college career, where he set NCAA records for passer rating and completion percentage during his national championship season.
The nicknamestuck through four NFL seasons with New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars before landing with San Francisco.
The 49ers QB1 Michael McCorkle Jones 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Kcj08aFdqU
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 10, 2025
His personal website and official documents confirm the McCorkle middle name, though Alabama’s roster conveniently left that detail out. The Crimson Tide media team made a smart move. Try fitting “McCorkle” on a jersey.
The timing couldn’t be better for Jones to grab headlines. He’s backing up Brock Purdy on a 49ers roster desperate for quarterback depth after last season’s injury nightmare.
One solid performance and suddenly fans are digging into his background, finding comedy gold in the process.
NFL Fans Go Absolutely Wild Over McCorkle Revelation
Social media went nuclear when the name dropped. One fanwrote, “Homie deserves Purdy’s contract.” Anotherclaimed, “Mac’s name game beats football.”
The reactions kept rolling in. A third fannoted, “Mac Jones is a bit goofy,” while a fourthfired back with, “so much better than Purdy.”
Not everyone’s buying the hype, though. Some fans pointed out that Jones posted a 14-24 record as a starter with the Patriots before being shipped to Jacksonville last season.
The former first-rounder threw for 8,918 yards with 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions across 49 career starts.
But one performance backing up Purdy has fans reconsidering everything. The McCorkle nickname adds personality to a quarterback who’s been grinding as a backup.
Whether he gets extended reps this season or not, Jones just became the most talked-about backup in football for reasons that have nothing to do with the playbook.