Ed Jones (defensive back)

Ed Jones
No. 24
Born: (1952-06-29) June 29, 1952
Long Branch, New Jersey
Career information
Status Retired
CFL status International
Position(s) DB
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg)
College Rutgers
High school Middletown Township
(Middletown Township, New Jersey)
NFL draft 1975 / Round: 9 / Pick: 226
Drafted by Dallas Cowboys
Career history
As player
1975 Dallas Cowboys (NFL)*
1975 Buffalo Bills (NFL)
1976–1984 Edmonton Eskimos
1984 BC Lions
Career highlights and awards
  • Honorable-mention All-East (1972)
  • Second-team All-East (1973)
  • First-team All-East (1974)
  • NFL All-rookie team (1975)
  • Grey Cup champion (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982)
CFL All-Star 1979, 1980, 1981
CFL West All-Star 1980, 1981
Records

Eskimos Record

  • Most Interception Return Touchdowns – Game (2) - September 7, 1980

Ed Jones (born June 29, 1952 in Long Branch, New Jersey) is a former defensive back for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League from 1976-1984. He won five Grey Cups for the Eskimos and was a CFL All-Star from 1979-1981. He also played with the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League. He played college football at Rutgers University.

Early years

Jones grew up in Middletown Township, New Jersey and didn't play organized football until attending Middletown Township High School in Navesink, New Jersey.[1] He was a two-way player (running back and defensive back) that also was a key special teams performer.[2] In 1969, before the state championships were played, he led his team to a 14-8 upset over Toms River South High School, by returning a 67-yard kickoff to set up a touchdown run and intercepting a pass to seal the win.[3] The team finished with a 9-0 record.

He accepted a football scholarship from Rutgers University, where he became a three-year starter at cornerback. As a senior, he led the team with 7 interceptions and received All-East honors. His college career total was a school record 14 interceptions.[4]

In 1990, he was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame.[5]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Jones was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the ninth round (226th overall) of the 1975 NFL Draft, also known as the Dirty Dozen draft. He was released before the start of the season.

Buffalo Bills

In 1975, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills and played in 12 games (11 starts) at strong safety, while missing 2 games with an arm injury. He registered 3 interceptions, one fumble recovery and received NFL All-rookie honors. On September 7, 1976, he was released, with some in the media reporting that a contract dispute was part of the reasoning.

Edmonton Eskimos

In 1976, he was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League after a five-day trial. He played in the last four regular-season games and in two playoff games. He was coached by Hugh Campbell and earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the league.

Jones was selected 4 times to the West All-Stars (1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981) as well as 3 times to the CFL All-Stars (1979, 1980 and 1981). In 1980 he had his best season, leading the CFL with 10 interceptions (3 returned for touchdowns).[6]

He helped the team win 5 Grey Cups during his nine-year career, finishing with 30 career interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries and 3.5 sacks. In 1984, he was traded to the BC Lions.

BC Lions

In 1984, he played in only 9 games because of injuries and had one interception. He was placed on the retired list on June 13.

Personal life

After his retirement, he worked in Edmonton's City Hall to provide affordable housing in the city. He served as the vice-president of the Eskimos Alumni.

In the 2014 CFL Draft, his son Derek was selected in the fourth round (29th overall) by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

References

  1. ↑ "Harris, Jones named to CFL All-Star Team", Asbury Park Press, January 16, 1980. Accessed July 26, 2018. "Dickie Harris of Point Pleasant Beach and Ed Jones of Middletown Township both were named to the 1979 Canadian Football League All-Star team yesterday.... This is the first CFL All-Star selection for Jones, a 1970 graduate of Middletown Township High School, and a 1974 graduate of Rutgers University where he gained All-East honors."
  2. ↑ "HS Football: Shore's greatest teams of the 1960s". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Forty years later, Toms River South and Middletown still remember 'Greatest Game Ever Played'". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Rutgers' 50 best: a look at football candidates". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Rutgers Hall of Fame". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Ed Jones bio". Retrieved April 30, 2017.
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