Cornerback Jonathan Jones #31 of the Washington Commanders speaks to the media during joint training camp between the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders on August 6, 2025 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Jonathan Jones in August 2025.
Jonathan Jones revealed during a press conference that he flew himself from North Carolina to Pennsylvania to sign his new one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles
The veteran NFL star earned his pilot’s license in April of 2023 after falling in love with the "hobby"
Jones is a two-time Super Bowl champion entering his 11th season in the NFL
Jonathan Jones is taking the Philadelphia Eagles fight song, "Fly, Eagles, Fly," quite literally.
The two-time Super Bowl champion, 32, signed a one-year contract with Eagles for his 11th season in the NFL, and revealed during his introductory press conference that he flew a plane himself to solidify the deal.
In addition to being a star cornerback, Jones doubles as a certified pilot — which explains why he was in the captain’s seat of his Daher TBM single-engine turboprop on Wednesday, March 18 to get himself from Charlotte, N.C. to Philadelphia.
Jonathan Jones #31 of the Washington Commanders looks on during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jonathan Jones #31 of the Washington Commanders looks on during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"I found a little passion for aviation a few years back and flew up here today for signing, so it's a little hobby of mine that I enjoy doing," he said in the press conference.
Jones said that he's "always looking for unique hobbies," an interest of his that he traces back to his childhood. He was born and raised in Georgia before chasing his NFL dreams on the Auburn University football team .
"I grew up as a country boy, so always outside on bikes, four-wheelers and [aviation] was kind of my niche," the Jones said. "I got exposed to general aviation, took a discovery flight and I fell in love with it."
Now, Jones said that he'll jump at the opportunity to fly himself any chance he can get.
Philadelphia Eagles Players celebrate during Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Philadelphia Eagles Players celebrate during Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
"So I hopped over from Charlotte today to get over to here. It was a quick flight but anytime I can fly, I love it," he shared. "It was kind of nice to have the approach over the Delaware River. It was kind of a nice touch for the morning."
Jones, who spent nine seasons with the New England Patriots and one with the Washington Commanders, earned his pilot’s license in April of 2023 after taking flying lessons at Norwood Airport outside Boston while he was still with the Pats, reported NBC Sports Philadelphia.
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Super Bowl LIX: Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts
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In May 2016, Jones signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn. He won two Super Bowls (2017 and 2019) within his first three years in the NFL, serving as a key member of the New England's secondary and special teams.
“I just love aggression,” Jones said during the presser. “I love to fly around on the field, make plays, support my teammates and just just try to be a cerebral player and try to dissect offenses and really understand how they're trying to attack us and just go out there and compete."