When the Seattle Seahawks hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after their Super Bowl 60 triumph, it wasn’t just a franchise milestone - it was a deeply personal victory for linebacker Ernest Jones IV. Amid the sea of confetti and roaring celebration, Jones took a quiet moment to honor someone who wasn’t on the field but was very much present in spirit: his late father.
This Super Bowl win was the culmination of a season built on grit, resilience, and timely execution - and Jones was right in the heart of it. From the first snap of the postseason to the final whistle in the title game, he was the engine of Seattle’s defense.
His sideline-to-sideline range, leadership in the huddle, and ability to read and react made him a cornerstone of a unit that rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Against one of the league’s most explosive offenses, Jones helped steady the ship and keep the Seahawks in control.
But while his teammates embraced loved ones on the field, Jones’ thoughts turned inward. After the game, he shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, honoring the man who helped shape his journey - not just as a football player, but as a person.
In that message, Jones thanked his father for the sacrifices made during countless youth practices, the long drives to games, and the unwavering support through college and into the NFL. He credited his father with instilling in him the values that carried him through the highs and lows of his football life: discipline, perseverance, and faith.
“I wanted to have a moment where I could bring my dad to the Super Bowl and couldn’t do it physically,” Jones said. “Closest thing I could.
I felt more in my spirit and my heart this week than I have since he left. This one was really special to get the Super Bowl for him.
I will be able to bring this trophy back home. It was just really special to be able to do that for him.”
That moment - raw, emotional, and real - added another layer to what was already a historic night for Seattle. Jones wasn’t just a standout performer in the biggest game of the year; he was a son honoring a legacy.
And in doing so, he reminded us all that football, at its core, is about more than wins and losses. It’s about connection, family, and the people who help us chase greatness.
Jones’ journey through the 2025-26 season was a testament to that. He emerged as a leader on a defense that played with championship-level toughness, and when the lights were brightest, he delivered. But it’s what he carried with him off the field - the memory of his father, the lessons passed down - that gave his Super Bowl moment a deeper meaning.
For the Seahawks, Super Bowl 60 will be remembered as the night they reclaimed NFL glory. For Ernest Jones IV, it was the night he brought his father with him to the mountaintop.