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Please Don’t Call Me ‘Pacman’

By Brinson | June 24, 2008

It’s a sad day in the history of the NFL when Pacman Jones drops his name. I’ll be honest — and I believe I’m on record as calling him an idiot and saying bad things about him — I heart the Pacman. He’s a fascinating figure in sports media history, because he a) made “make it rain” part of our vernacular and b) repeatedly kept doing stupid things.

Now, the latter isn’t particularly enthralling; lots of athletes do stupid things over and over again, but usually that singular thing doesn’t revolve around some freaky obsession with visiting strip clubs. But, from now on, he would request that you not call him ‘Pacman’. Just Adam will do fine. Or, alternately, Mister Jones.

“There’s really just a lot of negativity behind it,” Jones said. “It’s just time for a change, man. I’m doing everything to make sure that I’m all right as a person, mentally and emotionally.”

[...]“My mom is going to call me ‘Pacman.’ That is what it is. I can’t change that,” Jones said.

“I’m not saying that my teammates won’t call me ‘Pacman’ on the field,” he said. “But for the most part, I want to be Adam or Mr. Jones.”

Bear in mind he told this to a group of kids at Brandon Bass’ basketball camp who were chanting his nickname (not that the context matters particularly, just worth noting). But maybe that’s what it took — Pacman sees all of these Dallas area kids screaming for the characterization of a young man, some womanizing, ruthless criminal type, and suddenly realizes that, no really, whatever he’s been doing has been bad.

I don’t think the kids are what changed his mind immediately and I’m not sure it was Terrell Owens or anything, but regardless, it’s fascinating to see Pacman shift personas. If the Cowboys don’t implode into a rain-filled glass case of emotion this year, I’m going to be shocked.