49er takes teen to prom for special-needs students

MOULTON, Ala (KTVU) - It will likely be a night she will remember for quite some time. An Alabama teen with Down syndrome was the talk of her prom last week when she arrived to the dance with a very special date-- San Francisco 49er defensive back Don Jones.

The 27-year-old pro-athlete returned to his home state where he took 18-year-old Lindsey Preston to the "Special Needs Prom" on Friday.

Dressed in a classic tux, Jones placed a bright red corsage on Preston's wrist, posed for photos and showed up to the dance with the teen on his arm.

One on-looker told KTVU, "It was one of the most amazing things to ever experience."

Photos and video from the night show Jones and Preston both showing off their dance moves joined by crowds of other prom attendees.

In a Facebook post, the teen's mother, Kristi Martin, expressed her gratitude to her daughter's date. "He not only made her feel special but he danced with all the kids and they loved it. You are a AWESOME guy!" Martin wrote. 

Jones knows Martin and her family through his own mother who taught Preston in grade school. 

The NFL player called the prom experience a blessing and said he was very glad he could be there. 

"Anything I can do to make some kids smile, I would be more than willing to do," Jones told local Fox affiliate WBRC-TV. "I think the most fun was all of the guys, I showed the guys about five or six new dance moves," he added.

Before going pro, Jones played at Arkansas State University. He's now entering his sixth NFL season and his second with the 49ers.

The defensive back is currently recovering from a torn ACL which he suffered during the 49ers' final preseason game last year.