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LAS VEGAS – Ben Jones worked hard to get to this moment.
After 11 NFL seasons, 182 games played, countless bumps and bruises, and plenty of ups and downs, the Titans center is here at the Pro Bowl Games, surrounded by the game's best players.
It's the first Pro Bowl trip for Jones, and his teammates and coaches couldn't be happier for him.
"Every opportunity we can get for Ben to be recognized, I'm in favor of it," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said earlier in the week. "He has been a large part of our football team and our organization personally, and also professionally. I'm so happy for him."
Jones admits it's a proud moment for him.
It's also a big moment for his four-year-old daughter, Kayden.
"My daughter is just excited to see Derrick (Henry)," Jones said with a smile. "They are literally best friends. As long as Derrick is here, she's happy."
Yes, Henry is here.
In fact, he's the first guy Jones talked to when he got the news that he was being added to the Pro Bowl roster last month. The two FaceTimed to celebrate the moment.
"He is one of my best friends on this team," Jones said of Henry. "I think he was more excited than I was to be able to come out here and spend it together. He knows what I go through, what I play through, because I want to see him succeed. That's why I play this game – to help others."
In addition to Jones and Henry, Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and long snapper Morgan Cox are also here, along with the best players from the AFC and NFC.
On Thursday night, Jones was on the field with fellow Pro Bowlers taking part in the events.
"I've played in this league now 11 years, so getting this opportunity to fellowship with these guys and being around all these guys who all work so hard, it has been amazing," Jones said. "You want to win things as a team, but being named to the Pro Bowl, it is a great honor to be acknowledged for this.
"And it means a little more at the end of your career because it shows you put some consistency together, doing it for this long of a time. Just getting rewarded here at the end is special."
Despite being recognized as a Pro Bowler, 2022 wasn't an easy one for Jones.
Jones missed five games because of a pair of concussions. He was placed on injured reserve on December 22, and he missed the final three games. Absences have been rare for Jones in his career – from 2012 through 2021, Jones appeared in 160 of 161 possible regular season games, including starts in all but one game during his first six seasons in Tennessee
The Titans ended the season with a 7-10 mark – the first losing season for Jones in Tennessee. Jones spent his first four NFL seasons with the Texans.
"God puts you through trials," Jones said of the 2022 season, and his health. "You never know what it is going to be like, you just have to believe what He is putting you through is going to come out for the best. Everything can't be roses always – through trials come rewards, and it teaches you lessons that make you a better man and a better person.
"As a team, we fell short this year, and it's not how we wanted to end the year. It's hard. Since we've been here, we've always had a winning season, so it was hard to go out like that."
Jones said he's feeling better now. He cleared concussion protocol, which cleared the way for him to be added to the Pro Bowl roster.
His body is still recovering from another grind of a season, however.
"Concussion-wise, you go through that and get back from that," Jones said. "But you play 11 years, I have to get stuff cleaned up and fixed. My (plan) this offseason is getting back and healthy, and be able to play at a high level again."
Jones has one year remaining on the two-year contract he signed with the team last offseason.
He said he hopes to keep playing.
"My mindset now is: It's an offseason, so how do I prepare like a normal offseason?," Jones said. "It's getting some surgeries, getting healthy. So, when (training) camp comes around, if I am able to go and ready to roll, I am able to go out there and do it.
"My whole thing is: Spend time with the family, get healthy, and get ready to play football like I always do. If I am able to still play at a high level, I would love to keep playing. If not, grandfather time does happen, and we'll see what is best for our family."
Jones will spend some of that time with his family here in Vegas.
His wife, Alex, is making the trip with the couple's two children. His in-laws are also on their way to the Pro Bowl festivities. Jones said moments like this are ones he'll treasure forever.
No matter what happens moving forward, Jones is proud of his accomplishments.
In the eyes of his teammates and those around the league, the Pro Bowl trip is a nice reward for a job well done.
"I just finished my seventh year with the Titans, and it's been great," Jones said. "Every day you get to play in this league is a blessing. I never thought I'd play this long in the league so far, and I have been around so many amazing people, from teammates to coaches to staff. The relationships I've built, the places I got to go and see, I never imagined growing up in a small town in Alabama. It's been a real blessing."
