Texans Ben Jones Adapting to Big

Jones, Astros Matt Downs longtime friends

HOUSTON – Ben Jones is a center for the Houston Texans. A highly regarded 4th round draft pick out of Georgia. Jones is adapting to life as a rookie in a big city.

" You can get lost in this big city," said Jones.  " I found out this loop can take you anywhere."

Jones has rarely been around big cities. He's from Centerville, Alabama population 2,758.

"You had no access to watch the draft?  Not at my house on the farm, I had to go to town to watch on my aunt's house, because I had no cell phone service. so if I got the call I could actually answer the phone, " Jones told KPRC-TV in Houston.

You would think Jones would be the only Centerville, Alabama connection here in Housotn. Wrong because the Astros Matt Downs also calls it his hometown.  In face, Jones and Downs are friends and he is happy to have the Astros infielder to lean on.

"We grew up in the same church.  When we grew up in High school, we had a farm one of his jobs was to babysit me and keep me out of trouble," said Jones.

"I was around him everyday of my life.  Our families knew each other well , 5 minutes apart, " said Downs.  " It's unique for both of us to be here in Houston."

Jones added, " So I can always come to him for advice. Your family is not always here but somebody is there to hit home with."