Burnet’s Grant Jones wins Community Hero award
CAPTION: Burnet athlete Grant Jones (3) wins the Community Heroes award presented by Chicken Express. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
Burnet High School graduate Grant Jones is the 2024 recipient of the Male Chicken Express Community Hero of the Year award.
He receives a $1,500 scholarship.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Grant Jones,” Burnet football and boys track and field head coach Ben Speer said. “Him winning this says, ‘Wow. They got it right.’ Friends, family and community members all had to do their part.”
The award was based on online votes.
“It’s great he was able to get this,” Speer said.
Jones simply excelled in Kelly green.
He was the District 13-4A Division I Most Valuable Player in 2023 thanks to his ability to change the course of a game. Offensively, coaches created packages for him in wildcat formations or at receiver where he developed great rapport with quarterback Rhett Murray. Defensively, Jones used his speed in the secondary to track down ball carriers and the ball for interceptions. As a special teams returner, Jones weaved his way for big gains that set up the offense for short fields or found his way to paydirt.
On the track, Jones made his way to Mike Myers Stadium for the Class 4A state meet in the long jump. He had a leap of 22 feet and 2.25 inches to finish sixth. He also ran in the sprints and the relays.
And while the Burnet athletic program has Jones in the record books, Speer pointed out the youngster is an even better person, often taking time to speak to elementary-aged children and being an encourager to them.
In every way, Speer said, Jones is the poster athlete of a community hero.
“It’s great he was able to get this,” he said. “I can’t think of a more outstanding young man to represent our community. We’re tickled to death.”
Jones is now playing football at Abilene Christian University.
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