A look inside West Virginia commission

Jerry Jones arrived at Elkins High School in Elkins, W.V., this past March, mouthpiece in hand, and gave the attendant $10. A doctor listened to his lungs, took his blood pressure and put him on a scale. He was asked a series of questions: Have you ever been hospitalized? Have you ever had a concussion? Do you have any physical problems?

Jones answered: no, no and no. He was placed in a queue of dozens of men lining up to be crowned Elkins’ weekend warrior of the moment — a trademarked Toughman in sweat-soaked 16-ounce gloves and battle-worn headgear.

Had he been truthful, he might not have been offered the chance.

The seizures can occur at odd times, he said. They just come out of the blue. I had to lie to fight.

Jones has epilepsy. This was his third Toughman event.

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