(The Bonesmobile, 2011-2012. Never forget.)
After a weekend of near-silence in the wake of his DUI arrest, UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones emerged on Facebook this morning to apologize to his fans, while expressing some frustration and anger at the “hateful people” who “try to kick me while I’m down.” Here’s the full message, via MiddleEasy:
“Man I haven’t added anyone new to my Facebook page in like three years and right now I’m so glad that I haven’t. It has literally been sickening to have so many people try to kick me while I’m down. At the same time, I totally understand, I gave them the leeway to. I screwed up, big time. Just needed to say thank you to all you guys for being amazing friends/supporters.
Always having to deal with so many critics, haters and fickle mma fans, I almost forgot how strong of a home base I had (607 and people that knew me before I was a champion fighter). Although the hell that will come with this hasn’t even started yet, I want you guys to know how much better you’ve all made me feel, not only about this situation but about life, everything. It’s good to feel that people are there and care. With that being said, I felt I should apologize to you first.
I’m truly sorry to those of you that I may have embarrassed in any way, to those of you with kids that I may have let down. I will prove to them as well as to myself, that no matter what is happening in life, we can always work our way back and make things even better than before. Reading you guys uplifting comments was a great reminder for me to not give up on who I am or all the hateful people. I’m not gonna allow this situation to outweigh the positive. I love you guys right back and I promise to make things right.
PS sorry about the terrible grammar 
”
Jon’s apology for his grammar will be a lot easier to accept, considering that his only big mistake was that “Reading you guys uplifting comments” part. As for the DUI? Jones isn’t even the first UFC fighter this month to eat that charge, but at the moment, fan opinion seems to be evenly split between “we’ve all driven buzzed, give the kid a break” and “DUI is the worst crime you can possibly commit, R.I.P. CHARLES ‘MASK’ LEWIS”.
Maybe Jones will come out of this experience stronger and wiser, after being forced to deal with more adversity than he’s ever seen in the Octagon. Then again, this is the last thing he needs in the run-up to a fight against Dan Henderson. Let’s see how he handles it…