In what’s become a yearly tradition right around the holidays, the latest Ron Hobson Good Guy Award was presented by the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan on Wednesday morning following Jerod Mayo’s weekly press conference.
Jonathan Jones received this year’s award after winning a vote amongst the Patriots beat reporters taken about a week ago. Jones becomes the ninth Patriot to win it since it was first presented in 2016, joining Matt Slater, Devin McCourty, James White, Stephon Gilmore, Cam Newton, Matt Judon, Jakobi Meyers and last year’s recipent, David Andrews.
“Thank you guys. I always enjoy speaking with you guys,” Jones said. “Obviously, when you’re young in your career, you don’t because you don’t really know what to say and how to say it. As you learn, it’s a difficult job what we do and we understand you guys have a difficult job as well.
“We appreciate what you guys do as well.”
Jones will also have his name added to a plaque with the others that hangs in the media workroom with an image of Hobson that reads “Ron Hobson was an original beat writer for the Boston Patriots who was instrumental in the team’s relocation to Foxborough in 1971. Known by his readers as ‘the Humble One,’ Hobson retired after 50 years on the beat in 2010. The Ron Hobson Good Guy Award is presented annually by the Patriots’ press corps to express their appreciation for a player who respectfully fulfills his media obligations with class and professionalism.”
As a near 10-year vet, Jones believes his ability to deal with the crazy media market comes from the guys before him setting a good example.
“Sometimes it’s tough,” Jones acknowledged when specifically asked how hard it is to answer difficult questions, especially in a year like this one. “You don’t take it personal and you understand that criticism and praise is representation of the things you’ve done out on the field. You face it head on and you know that everything passes. You have an opportunity in this league to move forward. Whether you’re doing good or doing bad, what’s next?
“You take the questions head on whether you like it or not and move forward.”
While it’s a pretty significant honor and speaks more about the person than the player, the Ron Hobson Good Guy Award has quickly become cursed. Each of the winners – except for Slater – are no longer with the organization or injured.
Jones is hoping to change that.
“I’ll try to revert the curse back to like, 2017…some good guys back then,” he added with a laugh.