VIDEO: Velus Jones Has No Fear. Except Heights Because He’s All Of Us

People don’t understand the kind of mentality it takes to do what Velus Jones does. He was one of the best kick returners in college football during most of his time there. This involved him running at football towards 11 guys on the opposite team running at full speed at him. One wrong move could result in a terrifying collision and lots of pain. Yet he does it anyway because the kid has total confidence in his ability and little fear.

The same goes for his wide receiving work. He’ll gladly catch a bubble screen pass, knowing full well a defender could bury him even before he has a chance to turn and run. He can also go across the middle of the field on crossing routes. Most football fans would never have the courage to do this. Jones does. Ask him to do almost anything, and he’ll do it. That is unless it involves going up into a tall building. Then there would be problems.

Velus Jones is an exceptional athlete but also a normal human.

Acrophobia is the term for fear of heights. Around 5% of the world’s population suffers from this. That is almost 400 million people. Jones is clearly a member of that group, and it’s not hard to understand his reaction when being asked to go right up to a window at the top of a Chicago skyscraper and look down. That he did it anyway is a testament to his willingness to stare death in the face.

Jokes aside, it was an enjoyable moment for the team. Velus Jones and the rest of the Bears’ draft class got to experience many of the top landmarks around the city. It helped give them an idea of their new home and the people they would represent on Sundays. It must’ve been an eye-opening experience for Jones, a native of Alabama who grew up in a town of fewer than 17,000 people.

This must’ve been quite the culture shock.