Going into Monday’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders, nothing is more important for the Cincinnati Bengals than starters avoiding injuries and getting tuned up.But for most players inside Cincinnati’s locker room, preseason games are the opportunities of a lifetime.Safety PJ Jules is among the few players legitimately battling for one of the final spots on the Bengals’ 53-man roster.According to those who clock in year-round at Paycor Stadium, going back to the end of this past season, Jules showed up almost every day. A second-year safety out of Southern Illinois University, PJ Jules was stashed on the practice squad as a rookie. This summer, he fought to stay and play in his first regular season NFL game.The son of Haitian immigrants, Jules fell in love with football, partially because his dad was the local little league ref.From a humble home in Orlando to the pros, Jules has persevered through lifelong challenges. When PJ was in the seventh grade, his dad didn’t come home from the family’s annual summer trip to Haiti. His tragic, sudden death changed the lives of all five children.“When I came back to the U.S. with my little league team, they found at that he had passed,” Jules said. “They stopped every game and came on one field and we all just said a prayer together. It is one of those moments I will never forget. How football really brings people together and ever since then, I live and die by football. All I want to do is play football to make him proud.”A strong training camp makes Jules a candidate for the opening week roster. “Every day I show up to work and try to handle business. Trying to make my family proud,” Jules said.
CINCINNATI —
Going into Monday’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders, nothing is more important for the Cincinnati Bengals than starters avoiding injuries and getting tuned up.
But for most players inside Cincinnati’s locker room, preseason games are the opportunities of a lifetime.
Safety PJ Jules is among the few players legitimately battling for one of the final spots on the Bengals’ 53-man roster.
According to those who clock in year-round at Paycor Stadium, going back to the end of this past season, Jules showed up almost every day.
A second-year safety out of Southern Illinois University, PJ Jules was stashed on the practice squad as a rookie. This summer, he fought to stay and play in his first regular season NFL game.
The son of Haitian immigrants, Jules fell in love with football, partially because his dad was the local little league ref.
From a humble home in Orlando to the pros, Jules has persevered through lifelong challenges.
When PJ was in the seventh grade, his dad didn’t come home from the family’s annual summer trip to Haiti. His tragic, sudden death changed the lives of all five children.
“When I came back to the U.S. with my little league team, they found at that he had passed,” Jules said. “They stopped every game and came on one field and we all just said a prayer together. It is one of those moments I will never forget. How football really brings people together and ever since then, I live and die by football. All I want to do is play football to make him proud.”
A strong training camp makes Jules a candidate for the opening week roster.
“Every day I show up to work and try to handle business. Trying to make my family proud,” Jules said.