Hoos Making A Difference: UVA Football Alumni Honors Perris Jones at Today's Game

By Jerry Ratcliffe

The last notion on Perris Jones’ to-do-list was to write a book. He didn’t even know anyone who had ever authored one, and it wasn’t exactly an ambition.

That’s until his mentor, Jonathan Cotton, a successful Virginia businessman, got into his ear. Cotton, who owns 32 “Good Feet” stores, believed Jones had a special message that could inspire others.

Thus, “Ashes to End Zone” was born, a book documenting the former UVA running back’s odyssey through college football and life, with some inspirational stories from others, such as Virginia football coach Tony Elliott, thrown in to add even more real-life motivation.

Jones, who will be honored during Saturday’s Virginia vs. NC State game by the UVA Football Alumni Club’s “Hoos Making a Difference” program, arrived at Charlottesville’s Good Feet Store (Stonefield) on Saturday, signing copies of his book, greeting fans and looking fit enough to gain about 130 yards rushing.

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Quite a turnaround from when his football career suffered a blow in November of 2023 at Louisville, when one of his running attempts resulted in a spinal cord injury that ended his playing days. Partially paralyzed, he couldn’t return home with his team and remained in Louisville for weeks before he managed to walk out of the hospital unassisted.

Jones’ story was unique in the sense that he transitioned from a walk-on that was essentially disregarded during the Bronco Mendenhall era to eventually becoming the Cavaliers’ leading rusher for Elliott. In between, Jones had to inconspicuously dig through the trash at UVA’s football offices to come up with carbon copies of the Cavaliers’ plays in order to learn the offense, because he wasn’t given a playbook.

With his football playing days ended, Jones has focused on other aspects of his life, inspiring others as a public speaker and now the book (available at your favorite book store or through Amazon).

More on the book momentarily, as Jones addressed being recognized by his Cavalier football brothers at Scott Stadium on Saturday.

“Oh, it means everything to me,” Jones said with a wide smile. “It’s kind of what I set out to do: make a small change in the world in any way I could. So to be honored for that is truly amazing. I’m trying to do something small, but hopefully it makes big waves and an impact. I’m so happy that it’s being recognized.”

Jones would likely not have thought about a book until Cotton prompted the idea.

“I don’t know any authors. I don’t know anyone that’s ever written a book or tried, so it’s a new thing for me, but Mr. Cotton approached me and recommended that I did,” Jones said.

He took the challenge, just like he used to take handoffs on the football field, and ran with it.

“I prayed about it a little bit and I felt that God had a message to tell through my story,” Jones said. “That gave me motivation. I don’t think you truly realize how many things you walk through in life, and I think writing it down you’re like, ‘Wow, this actually happened,” and gives you a different sense about yourself and self-identity. It’s kind of motivating and therapeutic in many ways.”

The message of “Ashes to End Zone” is hope — something Jones believes is becoming a lost or dying art, and that the world needs more of. His book is about never losing hope, never giving up, no matter how many obstacles arise.

“Life gets rough and it throws punches at you that you’re not ready for, and I want people to know that there’s still hope. There’s still that light at the end of the tunnel. Hold onto that vision that dream you have. It will change your life.”

Jones is still connected to football via life coaching and mentoring. He’s also training young athletes, including Virginia running back Xavier Brown, while pursuing a doctoral degree (two years remaining) at the University of Louisville.

Yes, Louisville, where his playing career came to an abrupt end.

“Louisville definitely has a special place in my heart and it has been kind of a full-circle moment to be able to go back and take the next step in my life, where one chapter of it seemingly ended,” Jones said.

Now, there are several chapters in Jones’ book, literally and figuratively.

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