Mac Jones, the child model? Here are the pictures and promotional videos featuring a young patriotic QB

Patriots fans always thought that Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo – affectionately known as “Jimmy GQ” – were the closest thing to models they had ever seen in midfield. But now, they have a realistic model leading their defenders.

That would be Mac Jones. No, we’re not kidding.

Jones may be better known as the key representative for fathers everywhere at this point in his young career, but in his younger career, he really was a child model. He talked about it recently during an appearance on WEEI 93.7’s “Merloni & Fauria” when he was asked what his “worst job” was.

“I used to be a model/child actor, or whatever, and it was fun,” Jones said. “There are a few ads out there that you can try and find. I think a lot of people know.”

To her credit, Jones has been nothing but public about her modeling career. However, it was news to quite a few people unfamiliar with his not-so-secret double life. It may be over now, but there are certainly lasting memories of his modeling career.

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Photo of child model Mac Jones

Naturally, after Jones’ reveal of “Merloni & Fauria,” many people searched for photos of Jones during his modeling days. They are easy enough to find.

NESN’s Dakota Randall dug up several photos of Jones, one in which he was wearing a tie and one in which he was holding a tennis racket.

NFL reporter Dov Kleiman was also able to find some photos of Jones. He also found a clip of Jones participating in fashion shows from a young age.

One of Jones’ commercials actually exists. He is still pictured on Website “Adventure Landing”, a regional amusement park in Jacksonville, Fla. He appeared on the “Kids Fun Center Party” section of the website, wearing an orange polo shirt.

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How did Mac Jones become a child model?

As Jones explained in a pre-draft interview with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, he tried modeling thanks to his parents.

“They never pushed me into sports, which was really great,” Jones said. “So I tried modeling, acting. My sister did that and there’s a model camp just like me, I’m going to give it a try.”

And so Jones did. And while he says he “really never wanted to do that for long,” he’s grateful for the skills he acquired early in his career.

“It was good that I tried it and realized that I don’t necessarily want to do it but have that in my heart. Even for something like this,” Jones said, referencing the interview and his photo shoot before the 2021 NFL Draft. “You just get more comfortable around the camera.”

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Mac Jones advertising

Trying our best, we couldn’t find the ad Jones said might be out there. That said, if you’re inclined to look for them, ESPN’s Hallie Grossman gave some suggestions on where to see.

“[Jones] appeared in local ads — for the zoo, medical center, Party City, and the last one appeared for years around Halloween,” she wrote in her late 2020 profile of Jones.

The Party City rabbit hole is probably the best place to jump in, as their ads are the most available. The only problem with sorting through them? Most of the children are dressed in costumes.

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Was Mac Jones the kid in that Cam Newton ad?

This is a common question that was raised when Jones beat Cam Newton to start work with the Patriots. Was Jones the kid in that ad with Newton? You know, the NFL “Play 60” one, where the kid threatens to take Newton’s job in the future?

For those in need of a supplement, here’s a video of the ad.

It’s ironic and frankly, it’s amazing that Jones was that kid, he didn’t play “Nate”. That commercial was created in the summer of 2012, before Newton’s second season with the Panthers. Jones turned 14 in 2012, so he’ll be too old for that role even if his modeling career continues.

The role of Nate is played by a 7-year-old boy named James DiGiacomo. Now 16, DiGiacomo, who has done commercials and TV shows, spoke about the ad after it resurfaced following Newton’s release from the Patriots.

“I honestly think it’s great that people still talk about it,” said DiGiacomo Eagle-Tribune. “I’ve done a lot of commercials over the years and done some work on television,” he said. “But that ad with Cam was definitely a hit. I didn’t realize how big it was going to be when we did it. But it was really cool. I’m so proud of it.”