After a family tragedy, a former Chicago OL is officially hanging up his cleats for good at age 34.
Ex-Pro Bowl Bears star retiring for tragic reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
On the anniversary of a family tragedy, a former Chicago Bears offensive lineman standout is officially hanging up his cleats for good at age 34.
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Former Bears offensive tackle Charles Jones Jr. spent the bulk of his pro career in Chicago, logged his first seven seasons out of Boise State with the Monsters of the Midway. He was named to his lone Pro Bowl team with Chicago in 2018.
The 6-foot-3, 302-pound pro finished up his NFL career with the Washington Commanders from 2021-23.
He hasn't played since then, but was not officially retired — until this Tuesday, the day after Chicago survived Washington on the road with a last-second field goal kick, 25-24.
Jones took to his official Instagram account to announce his decision, explaining that he has been fundamentally changed following his wife Jennifer's miscarriage on October 14, 2023. He incurred a calf injury in December of that same season, and was ultimately waived on March 1, 2024.
"On October 14, 2023, my wife Jennifer and I experienced the most unimaginable heartbreak," Leno began. "We lost our precious daughter, Paitynn—our fourth baby girl. That day changed everything for me. It changed the way I see life, the way I carry myself, and most of all, it changed what matters most to me."
While he did finish out that season, Leno has acknowledged now that his heart wasn't in it, even before the calf injury.
"[On] that day in 2023, something in me shifted. I knew then that I was done with football. Not physically, but mentally and emotionally," Leno wrote. "My heart now belongs fully to my family. And I knew one day, when the time was right, I'd make it official."
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