JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville community came together Friday night in Arlington to mourn the loss — and celebrate the legacy — of Chris Payton-Jones.
Payton-Jones, a former Sandalwood High School football standout who went on to play professional football, was killed in a crash in Gainesville last weekend.
He was 30.
At the Arlington Pop Warner football field, people wore blue, held blue balloons and picked up shirts printed with Payton-Jones’ picture and his film channel — a nod to the work he was doing in recent years as a videographer and content creator on local high school sidelines.
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The gathering included young athletes he coached and mentored.
“They wanted to come out and show love to Coach Chris and now go show out on the field,” said Brian Burnett, a friend.
Now, that 7-on-7 team is heading to Kissimmee to compete this weekend and honor their coach’s legacy.
“He is an inspiration to everybody. A man. A few words but of many actions,” Burnett said.
Adi Krecic, a film maker and friend of Payton-Jones, said he was a mentor to him — especially as Krecic began to get his footing in the industry.
“Chris was a really good friend, big brother, a mentor of mine,” Krecic said.
Payton-Jones’ death has prompted an outpouring of tributes across Jacksonville’s football community, including from former coaches and educators who remember him as driven, respectful and connected to the people who helped him early on.
Rhonda Motley, his former vice principal at Sandalwood High School, told News4JAX earlier this week that she was stunned when she heard the news.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Motley said. “Then I got a call from another parent, who called me crying.”
Motley said Payton-Jones remained close to Sandalwood after graduation and often returned to work with students and young athletes.
“When he came back to town, he met your students. He worked out with them. He tried to lead them in the right direction,” Motley said.
Motley also said Payton-Jones took pride in being a father.
“I think the thing he was most proud of was being a father,” Motley said. “He loved, loved, loved his son.”
As the vigil continued Friday night, friends said what they hope lasts is the way Payton-Jones made people feel — and the way he pushed others to keep going.
“I know I’ll never be him,” Krecic said. “But I’ll do what I can to show what I’m able to do in honor of him from here on out.”
“Long live Chris Jones,” Burnett said. “We are going to make sure we live in his name in the correct way.”