Allen Gregory
Sports Writer
Bristol Herald Courier
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
BIG STONE GAP – Sunday was a special day for Cameron Fannon.
In fact, the eight-year-old Big Stone Gap resident counted down the hours until he could watch his hero on the biggest stage in American sports.
"Thomas Jones is my favorite player,’’ Cameron said. "He’s got the speed, he’s tough and he’s from my home town.’’
Cameron joined a large crowd of Southwest Virginia football fans at Mountain Empire Community College Sunday to watch Jones play for the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl.
Cameron even donned a Bears hat and jersey, both featuring Jones’ autograph.
That sort of devotion is fine with Cameron’s father, Barry.
"Thomas is a great role model and representative for our area,’’ Fannon said. "I’ve taken Cameron to the Thomas Jones football camp twice at Wise, and now he plays the same position and has the same number as Thomas in youth league football.’’
Fannon, who played football at Appalachia High School, is among many folks in the football-hungry coalfield region who has vivid memories of Thomas and his brother Julius starring for Powell Valley High School’s Vikings.
"I’ve watched a lot of football on all levels, but the game I saw Thomas play against Giles in the state playoffs was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen,’’ Fannon said. "Speed, agility, vision. Thomas has it all, plus he is a classy individual.’’
Hometown Hero
Coy Bays and Pat Murphy have unique insight into the Jones success story.
Julius Jones, brother of Thomas, is the starting tailback for the Dallas Cowboys after a sterling career at Notre Dame.
The Jones family once lived two blocks from the Murphy residence, while Bays lived just across the street from the Jones house.
"I remember how Thomas and his family would gather on their front porch every night. They are a very close family,’’ Bays said.
Sunday’s extended Super Bowl pregame show on national television featured a portrait of Thomas and his upbringing in Southwest Virginia. In addition to interviews and standard footage of the coal mines surrounding Big Stone Gap, the piece included a shot of the practice field at Powell Valley High School.
The Jones family has roots in Appalachia, but moved to the small house within sight of the famed football field at Bullitt Park when Julius was a sophomore at Powell Valley. When Thomas signed his first pro contract, he bought the family a new house in the Powell Valley community.
Bays, a full-time sportswriter since 1978, covered Thomas often when he was in high school.
"The thing that impressed me most about Thomas was how mature he was, and that maturity level was evident on the football field,’’ Bays said. "Thomas just went to work every day.
"He was durable, consistent and talented. I knew Thomas would succeed, but I never knew he would go this far.’’
Bays compared Sunday’s game to the mid-1960s when Wise native Carroll Dale played in the first two Super Bowls for the Green Bay Packers. W.G. Bays, Coy’s father, coached Dale at J.J. Kelly High School.
"It was pretty special to watch Carroll and this is another special day,’’ Bays said. "Football is a link and source of pride in our region.’’
Pride is a big word in the Murphy family. Pat Murphy played linebacker at both Powell Valley and the University of Kentucky, while his oldest son Sean is a special-teams standout at UK.
"There have been a lot of good athletes in Southwest Virginia, but Thomas has been the groundbreaker for my generation,’’ Sean said. "I played backyard ball at the Jones house, and my father used to take me to Powell Valley games.
"Thomas is just a super nice guy and one heck of an athlete.’’
As usual, Pat Murphy was dressed Sunday in his Kentucky colors. But there was no question where his allegiance lay Sunday night.
"I’m pulling for the Bears,’’ Murphy said. "Thomas is an inspiration for Southwest Virginia residents, especially for younger kids.
"I have plenty of memories of Thomas. I’ll never forget how he would charge into a big pack of players, then bust out the other side en route to a touchdown. Thomas always wanted to accomplish big things in life, and that’s what he did.’’
Role Model
At banks, grocery stores and other businesses throughout the close-knit Big Stone Gap community Sunday were numerous signs supporting Jones.
Gatherings were held at the high school, the Carnes Community Center gym and in the Goodloe Center at MECC.
"We’re all rooting for Thomas and the Bears,’’ Chris Kelly said. "He’s done good things for himself and our community, and we should all be proud.’’
For Leigh Ann Bolinskey, the Super Bowl was personal.
"It’s the most amazing thing to be able to say I know Thomas Jones and now he’s in the Super Bowl,’’ Bolinskey said. "I played Nintendo with Thomas at his house in high school, went to his football games and talked to him again a couple years ago.
"Thomas is a phenomenal athlete, but he’s just very cool guy who has worked for everything he has.’’
Perhaps the proudest person in Big Stone Gap was the town’s mayor, Barbara Orndorff.
"This is a big day for us,’’ said Orndorff, who arrived at the Goodloe Center well over three hours before kickoff. "We all admire Thomas for what he has achieved in football and education.
"For example, Thomas has made donations to the high school and set up at scholarship for the University of Virginia for students throughout Southwest Virginia.’’
A proclamation and key to the town honored Thomas and Julius last July 1. Orndorff said Jones is worthy of a special day and more.
"We’re hoping Thomas will come back for a parade someday,’’ Orndorff said. "Thomas set a goal early in life and met it through hard work.
