Fred Jones lost power. Of course he did. 

He kept working anyway.

“I haven’t lost it completely yet,” he said. “It keeps going out and coming back on. I try and keep my phone charged. It gets a little cold.”

So Jones took calls and made calls. Trying to find an opponent to take the place of Jackson State, which notified Jones Tuesday that it would not honor its commitment to play in the Southern Heritage Classic in 2022.

Founder Fred Jones says Southern Heritage Classic more than just a game

“I had no idea it was coming,” he said. “I got the letter Tuesday night. I didn’t really believe it.”

Because who would?

Jones created the Southern Heritage Classic more than 30 years ago. He gave Jackson State and Tennessee State a chance to play a big game on a big stage.

Now Jackson State was — without any hint or warning — backing out of a contract that runs through 2024?

“Disappointing,” Jones said.

I suggested to him that maybe “shameful” or “ungrateful” would fit, too.

“No,” he said. “I’m not going to use the word ‘ungrateful.’ I’m disappointed. Everybody is.”

Jackson State leaves Southern Heritage Classic

And here I would like to refer you to Deion Sanders’ Twitter account, where the celebrated coach of Jackson State was waxing on Thursday about change.

“It’s time we change for the better and embrace what’s evident,” Coach Prime wrote.

Or maybe it’s time to embrace the contract the university actually signed?

Jackson State’s lawyer informed Jones that the SWAC “has entered into an agreement in which JSU will participate in events that conflict with the Southern Heritage Classic.” 

So that was the excuse for suddenly ducking out.

“I didn’t believe the reason it was canceled,” Jones said. “But you were a lawyer. That’s all I can say right now. My focus is on making sure there is a game in 2022. Miracles happen, you know.”

Southern Heritage Classic a game to remember

Except miracles rarely just happen. They tend to follow hard work.

The first miracle was getting the Southern Heritage launched in the first place. Jones didn’t have a single corporate sponsorship until Coca-Cola came aboard two weeks before the first game. He didn’t break even until Year 5.

Even then, the classic suffered a series of calamities, including a lightning storm that ended the 2018 game before it kicked off, and a pandemic that wiped out the 2020 event.

So maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised that Jones wasn’t wasting any energy on bitterness Thursday; he wasn’t fuming about low-down Jackson State.

“I’ve been at this a long time,” Jones said. “I’ve seen this movie before. I can tell you exactly what it was like after 9/11. That happened on a Tuesday. The game was scheduled for the Saturday after that. We wound up postponing the game to Thanksgiving that year.

“This situation is difficult because it involves so many people and because it’s hard to find an opponent just seven months before the game. But we are committed to having a game in 2022. We’re going to find a way.”

Jones is 74, by the way. He’s been working in entertainment since 1970. You would think he might want to take a break from it all. Put his feet up. Relax.

But there he was Thursday — having been dealt a shattering blow by a longtime partner — working away in the midst of a ferocious ice storm.

“You have to put your heart and soul in it,” he said. “That’s the only way to get it done. You have to be committed. Really committed. Otherwise, what is the point?”

So here’s betting that Jones finds the opponent he needs. And that the Southern Heritage Classic lives on.

It won’t require a miracle, either.

Just the heart and soul of Fred Jones.