A Dual Commitment: Brandon Aubrey Balances NFL Duties with Jury Service
In an age where multi-tasking is common, the grit and dedication of Brandon Aubrey stand out, especially in the world of professional sports. Aubrey, the Dallas Cowboys' kicker, recently exemplified commitment by dutifully serving as a juror during a significant domestic violence trial while maintaining his NFL obligations.
The Trial
Between October 22 and October 30, 2023, Aubrey was a juror in a domestic violence trial in Tarrant County involving defendant Daniel Rincones. Despite the high-stakes nature of the legal proceedings, which led to Rincones receiving a 65-year sentence for his conviction, Aubrey managed to maintain his focus on both courtroom duties and his athletic career.
The Challenges of Service
Like many professional athletes, Aubrey attempted to reschedule his jury duty, citing commitments with the Dallas Cowboys. However, his request was denied after an earlier postponement, underscoring the responsibilities that everyone, including celebrities and professional athletes, must uphold in the judicial process. Aubrey's familial connections to the legal world—his sister-in-law is a district attorney and his brother a lawyer—may have made him more apt for the role. "I have a DA [district attorney] sister-in-law, and my brother's a lawyer," Aubrey noted, acknowledging these ties.
Balancing Act
With the Cowboy's Week 7 bye aligning perfectly with his jury duty, Aubrey's logistics became an exercise in time management. Each day, after serving his hours from nine to five in downtown Fort Worth, he embarked on a grueling rush-hour drive to make it to practice at The Star in Frisco. "It was nine to five in downtown Fort Worth in the court. Hop on the highway after and race down here [to The Star in Frisco]. It's about an hour and a half to get here [in rush hour]," Aubrey described. Despite the taxing schedule, he expressed a desire not to be perceived as superior or entitled, stating, "I could have been more assertive and at that point, everyone knows who I am there, and I don't want to sound like I think I'm better than anyone else or that I'm above the job."
Performance on the Field
The weight of jury duty didn't compromise Aubrey's on-field performance. In a recent match against the San Francisco 49ers, he flawlessly executed all three extra points and nailed a crucial 29-yard field goal. This success builds on a remarkable season where Aubrey has completed 18 out of 20 field goal attempts, with nine successful kicks from beyond 50 yards, securing his position as second in this category across the NFL this season. His ability to switch from juror to star athlete perhaps speaks volumes about his mental fortitude and discipline.
Recognition and Respect
Acknowledging the demands placed on Aubrey during these weeks, John "Bones" Fassel, the Cowboys' special teams coordinator, expressed admiration for his commitment to both roles: "We got our work done Wednesday and Thursday. Doing what we had to do and much respect for him knowing what he had to do." Aubrey seamlessly intertwined his responsibilities, earning the respect of his peers while showing future athletes the importance of civic duty.
Brandon Aubrey's dual commitments over those days of jury duty reveal the balancing act that many professional athletes might have to perform. Yet, with his steady performance both on thejury panel and the playing field, Aubrey maintains his image as a dedicated team player both in court and on the field.