Commentary: Draft prospect ‘proud’ to be a dad

Sometimes we live by the quote in sports, and it looks like North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins is going to be a go-to guy.

He was supposed to go in the draft Thursday night, but of course I fell asleep and will have to read elsewhere on these pages what happened.

Aside from how he plays, I’d just like to hear his philosophy on life.

Following his being kicked off the Florida football team after his freshman season for being arrested multiple times on marijuana charges, Jenkins allegedly said, “I was just being a college student. I’m pretty sure there were more guys than me that smoked. I just got caught.”

He also has questioned accusations about his lack of character since he has acknowledged fathering four children with three different women.

In that respect, he’s well behind Antonio Cromartie, who has somewhere between six and 10 children by five to eight women in five states or more.

Still, four children by three women is productive.

“It’s weird because I had those kids while I was playing college football, and it didn’t affect me, not once,” Jenkins told our partners at the Palm Beach Post. “I’m proud to have my four kids. If they want to throw that in my face, so be it.

“Everybody has kids. Where in the book does it say you can’t have kids? It doesn’t say that in the law. I’m a great father. I’m there whenever they need me.”

Obviously, he hasn’t started paying any of the big bills yet. Those might affect him, maybe leading to some more good quotes.

Sounds like a beat writer’s dream. Just don’t ask me to tag along on any family outings.

Contact this writer at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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