Dec 13, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones (24) along the sidelines prior to playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Bengals defeated the Eagles 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Some things never change.

Former Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam Jones, also known as Pacman Jones, was reportedly arrested on one count of assault for allegedly slapping a female patron outside of a downtown bar. The Cincinnati Enquirer received that information from Cincinnati City Prosecutor Charlie Rubenstein. On June 10, Jones tweeted the following:

Just got arrested for protecting myself, I will not let this break me or change what I have work so hard for ….

— ADAm Pacman Jones (@REALPACMAN24) June 10, 2013

According to ESPN, Jones reacted in self-defense. Following a Cincinnati Reds game on June 5, two women approached him because they wanted to have their picture taken with him. When Jones refused, one of the women threw a beer bottle at him. That led to him slapping her.

Here’s a video of the incident from Deadspin. You be the judge. No matter the reason, hitting a woman will never help one’s image.

This probably doesn’t surprise many Titans enthusiasts. Typically, Jones finds himself in these situations whenever he attends a bar or strip club. He’s a magnet for this type of bad publicity and he should stay away from these establishments, at least until his NFL career has ended. There’s too much money at stake.

Talk about wasted potential. With greater dedication toward his maturity and decision making, Jones could’ve still been a shutdown cornerback and return specialist for the Titans.

Feb 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFL players Devin McCourtny and Jason McCourty pose for a photo on the red carpet at the Maxim Party presented by Patron Tequila. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

It has been more than 3.5 years since Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty was a rookie participant during a 2009 regular-season matchup against the New England Patriots. Amidst blizzard-like conditions at Gillette Stadium, the Titans fell behind 45-0 at halftime and 59-0 at the end of the third quarter. That 59-0 deficit was the final score. This loss dropped the Titans to a 0-6 record. Despite winning eight of their last 10 games, the Titans didn’t qualify for the postseason.

For (Jason) McCourty, that loss couldn’t have been much worse. At least it came before his twin brother, Devin McCourty, became the Patriots’ 27^th-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Imagine the bragging rights that Devin would’ve had if he were part of that 59-0 shellacking. Of course, Devin earned his bragging rights when the Patriots invaded L.P. Field and dominated the 2012 Week 1 opener, 34-13.

So maybe Jason hasn’t enjoyed much success against the Patriots. Maybe his twin brother has gotten the upper hand with higher draft selections, head-to-head matchups and a Super Bowl appearance. These brothers won’t hold grudges because of what happens on the gridiron. Their competitiveness and love for one another won’t allow that.

What it will allow for is teaming up for a wonderful cause. On June 9, the McCourty Twins will host a 5K Run and Walk in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. This will serve as the major fundraising component of the “Tackle Sickle Cell” campaign.

Partnering with Embrace Kids Foundation, the McCourty Twins have launched the Tackle Sickle Cell campaign in an effort to educate the public, increase blood donors, and raise money & awareness for the fight against sickle cell disease. Learn more about this event at TackleSickleCell.org.

Some Titans enthusiasts are likely aware of sickle cell disorders after Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark missed a 2011-12 AFC Wild Card matchup against the Denver Broncos. However, according to his Cure League foundation, Clark doesn’t have sickle cell disease; he has sickle cell trait. From the Cure League website:

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ryan Clark does not have sickle cell disease. He has what doctors refer to as sickle cell trait.

People with sickle cell disease inherited two sickle cell genes — one sickle cell gene from each parent. People with sickle cell trait, like Ryan Clark, inherited only one sickle cell gene from one parent. Typically, those with sickle cell trait never experience any symptoms associated with the blood disorder. But Clark did experience symptoms — symptoms that nearly cost him his life.

Read more about Clark’s story and his near fatal experience during a 2007 game at Mile High Stadium.

The McCourty Twins have witnessed some of their own family members battle the disease. Complications include fatigue, body aches, poor eyesight, ulcers, infections in the bones, gallbladder, lung and urinary tract, and painful joints caused by arthritis. They want to create awareness for a disease that affects approximately 100,000 Americans.

It’s crucial that Titans fans pull together and help Jason raise money for the Tackle Sickle Cell campaign. If Devin wins, Jason will endure something much worse than a six-game losing streak, 59-0 loss or a Week 1 home loss to a twin brother. If Jason loses, he’ll morph into a Patriot—and not just any Patriot:

Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriot gestures during the AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

So let’s review. If Jason loses:

Oct 30, 2011; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans corner back Jason McCourty (30) celebrates after recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

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Jan 26, 2013, Honolulu, HI, USA; New England Patriots mascot Pat Patriot at Ohana Day for the 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If my opinion means anything, I think Devin needs the makeover:

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) walks off the field after losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

TO

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans mascot T-Rac poses with a Titans cheerleader in a Christmas costume during the game against the New York Jets at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Seriously though—regardless of whether you’re a Titans fan, Patriots fan, you loathe both teams or you hate the NFL, consider helping a good cause.

To register and/or donate for the 5K Run and Walk, please visit TackleSickleCell.org. Choose between “Join #TeamJ-Mac” or “Join #TeamD-Mac.” Enroll as either an active participant or a donator. Follow @TackleSC on Twitter and join the conversation by using #TackleSC. You can like them on Facebook.com/TackleSickleCell. Follow the McCourty Twins at @McCourtyTwins . Event is June 9.

Get ready, Devin. The Titans (fans) are coming #TeamJ-Mac .

Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard (31) talks the press during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Most Titans fans knew that the signing of Bernard Pollard was going to help a struggling Tennessee Titans secondary and an overall struggling Titans defense. What most Titans fans didn’t know was the leader and the fresh new mentality Pollard brings along with him to this team.

In a recent interview, Pollard stated that he wanted to see a team and defense where everyone fought. “A brotherhood of fighters” as he put it and that mentality will be welcomed with open arms in Tennessee this upcoming season. It is that mentality that has been missing in Tennessee and with the addition of Pollard, the Titans are heading in the right direction to acquire it back.

The Titans defense has had its fair number of issues in recent years and one can point the blame to a number of reasons. One pressing issue has been the absence of a pure leader on the defensive side since the days of Keith Bulluck. Pollard brings that back and he brings it back with a whole new meaning. The idea of an actual leader on the field for the Titans defense seems to be a real possibility with Pollard and it is something the Titans desperately need and most fans look forward to seeing.

Pollard was quoted saying, “The guy has an opposite jersey on so we’re going to fight him.”

If that doesn’t represent the idea of “smash-mouth football” I’m not sure what else will. This kind of mentality is infectious and when one player, particularly the leader of the defense, steps up and plays with that mentality, it spreads like wildfire. That infectious mentality could be exactly the spark this Titans defense needs to really bring a relentless attitude when they are out there on the field.

The absence of a leader on this Titans defense has put a real halt on the productivity of this defensive unit in recent years. Pollard fills that role perfectly. The signing of Pollard may be exactly what this Titans defense needed to become a force to reckon with in the NFL. Of course, the play of the defense will ultimately decide this unit’s fate. Still, you can’t deny the fact that having Pollard as a leader will greatly increase its chances.

Maybe Bernard Pollard will be the next Keith Bulluck in the aspect of an unquestioned leader on this Titans defense. All Titans faithful can only hope that is nothing but the truth.