SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The scoreboard at Levi’s Stadium read Seattle 29, New England 13, but Ernest Jones IV wasn’t looking at the stats. He wasn’t looking at the Lombardi Trophy being hoisted by Geno Smith. He was looking up.
Amidst the chaos of the Seahawks’ second Super Bowl title in franchise history, the linebacker stood near the 50-yard line, tears mixing with the sweat on his face. He had just fulfilled a prophecy spoken in a hospice room seven months ago.
Jones, who anchored a Seattle defense that stifled the Patriots’ attack all night, revealed the gut-wrenching motivation behind his All-Pro postseason run. His father, Ernest Jones Jr., passed away in July 2025, just before training camp began.
Before the season started—before the grueling NFC West gauntlet, before the playoff upsets—Jones made a vow.
“I told my Dad, beginning of this year, before he passed, this was gonna be our year… to be out here sharing this moment with my Dad, it’s everything.” — Ernest Jones IV, Seahawks Linebacker (via NFL Network)
The interview with Stacey Dales wasn’t your standard post-game cliché fest. It was raw. It was the sound of a man releasing a season’s worth of grief. Jones wore his heart on his sleeve—right next to the USA 250 patch that has come to define this historic 2026 season.
While the offense put up the points, Jones and the defense secured the legacy. The Seahawks held New England to just one touchdown, forcing three turnovers in the second half. Jones was everywhere—stuffing the run on 3rd-and-short, diagnosing screens, and playing with a ferocity that bordered on possession.
Every tackle felt personal. Every stop felt like a message sent skyward.
With this victory, the Seahawks cement themselves as the dynasty of the mid-20s, erasing the bitterness of recent playoff exits. For Jones, the offseason begins not with celebration, but with peace. He promised a ring. He delivered.
Expect Seattle to work quickly to lock Jones down long-term; he just proved he’s not just a linebacker. He’s the heartbeat of the world champions.
