Ronald Jones on celebrating a Super Bowl title, Brady vs Mathieu and running it back

Yahoo Sports’ Matt Harmon goes 1-on-1 with the Buccaneers Running Back. RoJo tells us how it feels to be called a Super Bowl Champion, how Tom Brady changed the culture in the Bucs building, and the dynamic between himself and Leonard Fournette in the Bucs backfield. Ronald Jones joined Yahoo Sports thanks to Michelob Ultra, who asks the question, are you happy because you win, or do you win because you’re happy?

Video transcript

MATT HARMON: All right, I'm hyped now to be joined by Super Bowl champion Ronald Jones. How awesome is it to have that attached to your title now?

RONALD JONES: Yeah, it's very awesome. You know, it's got a nice ring to it. I like it. I like it a lot.

MATT HARMON: You're joining us on behalf of Michelob Ultra today. They had a pretty thought-provoking commercial during the Super Bowl. They basically asked, are you happy because you win? Or do you win because you're happy? What's your take on that? Did the Buccaneers win because they're happy or are they happy because they won?

RONALD JONES: I think I win because I'm happy. The build-up to the moments just leads to happiness, and that happiness translates to success on the field. So drinking Michelobs at the beach, whatever it may be, doing things off the field just makes me happy. And the winning brings even more joy, so--

MATT HARMON: I can tell. Obviously, you're down there with the palm trees, maybe throwing back a few Michelobs in celebration. How have you been celebrating since the Super Bowl went down, man?

RONALD JONES: Pretty good. Yeah, those adult beverages are keeping me going. Running off no sleep is great, but I got all offseason to rest and things like that. So just got to take all these moments in for what it is.

MATT HARMON: I love that. All right, so let's talk about Tom Brady though. I mean, again, I want to focus on you and your role on the team, but what was the change that number 12 brought to you guys this year?

RONALD JONES: Yeah, I think just that championship mentality. Just knowing what he's done in this league got us determined as much as he was to make a run at this thing. And he always said you'll never work too hard when you're accomplishing these goals. So it just feels so unbelievable.

MATT HARMON: I wouldn't be doing it justice if I didn't try to get some inside information from you here as to what went down between Tom Brady and Tyrann Mathieu. Because you're obviously on the field. Did you hear anything that went on between them? Were you surprised by that intensity? I just got to try to get some sort of juice here from you, man.

RONALD JONES: Yeah. Yeah, I'll tell you, I'm not surprised one bit by that. Two competitive, really, guys and things like that. I didn't hear anything. You know in a game like that, passions gonna be running high. I don't know what went on, but whatever they said, it got him locked in and focused even more, so it willed us to victory.

MATT HARMON: Let's focus a little bit more on you and your position group. Obviously, you and Leonard Fournette were one of the most explosive tandems in the NFL. What's the relationship and dynamic between you guys? Is it more of a you push him, he pushes you? And how do you feel like you complement each other?

RONALD JONES: Yeah, I think we're one of the best one-two punches in the league, and we comp each other really well. You know, he's a more physical, power guy. I'm more speed and things like that. So I think the complement is very good. We kept each other competitive all year.

MATT HARMON: For you specifically-- like you said, you're a speed guy. And you've taken, I think personally, a step every single season that you've been in the NFL. What have you done each and every year to kind of get better and hone your craft?

RONALD JONES: I think just maturing in this league, like you said. Just training hard, you know, nonstop. All of that just for moments like these. So I wouldn't change a thing, and we look forward to doing it again. Why not?

MATT HARMON: Yeah, right? Are you guys already talking about running it back? Because I know it must've been nice to hear Brady immediately say I'm coming back. Are you guys already kind of talking about, already looking forward a little bit to next year?

RONALD JONES: Yeah, definitely. We know he signed that contract, so he'll be here coming back. So nothing like playing with a man like that. And, yeah, I'm grateful. I'm blessed to be part of this journey. Yeah, let's run it back, you know?

MATT HARMON: Yeah, how nice was it to hear those cannons finally firing off after the game?

RONALD JONES: Yeah, definitely. When the fireworks and confetti came down, I'll never forget those moments. So it's something that I'll cherish for a lifetime. And yeah. Yeah, man, it's still-- still I get the chills just thinking about it.

MATT HARMON: What are your plans for the rest of the offseason, the rest of the celebration process, the training process? You can take that any different direction you want to go.

RONALD JONES: Yeah, I'm just waiting to see what this parade is gonna be so I can have some more adult beverages at the beach and things like that. So I'll be enjoying this. And, yeah, I'll start training pretty soon too. So, yeah, go Bucs, man.

MATT HARMON: Hey listen, Ronald, you earned it. You earned all the adult beverages. Toss them back. Enjoy it. We really appreciate you spending some time with us, man. Thank you so much.

RONALD JONES: Thanks man. I appreciate it too. Appreciate the time.