Ed Jones
The first overall pick from a historically black college who ruled the line for 15 seasons and conquered the ring in between.
First off, Ed "Too Tall" Jones played 15 seasons for Dallas (1974–1978 and 1980–1989) after being picked first overall by the Cowboys in 1974. Born February 23, 1951, in Jackson, Tennessee, Edward Lee Jones made history as the first player from a historically black college to go number one in the NFL draft. A two-time All-American at Tennessee State University, he dominated as a defensive end with three Pro Bowl selections and helped bring home Super Bowl XII. His career took a wild turn in 1979 when he stepped into the undefeated professional boxing circuit before returning to tackle football. That specific mix of size, speed, and athletic versatility changed the stats books for good.
- career_sacks_official
- 57.5
- career_sacks_unofficial_cowboys_record
- 106
- games_played
- 224
- starts
- 203
- tackles
- 1,032
- blocked_passes
- 86
- fumble_recoveries
- 19
- interceptions
- 3
- pro_bowls
- 3
- super_bowl_wins
- 1
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Jones arrived at Tennessee State University as a basketball recruit but switched to football under coach John Merritt, where his 6 ft 9 in frame earned him the nickname "Too Tall" during his first practice. He led the Tigers to back-to-back black college national championships in 1971 and 1973, recording 38 career sacks. After being drafted by Dallas, he started at left defensive end in 1975 and played a pivotal role in Super Bowl XII. In 1979, at age 28, Jones shocked the sports world by leaving football for boxing. He fought six professional bouts with a perfect 6–0 record, including a controversial majority decision over Abraham Yaqui Meneses and a swift 44-second knockout of heavyweight champ Fernando Montes. Jones later called fighting "probably the best decision [he] ever made" because it sharpened his football skills.
In Their Own Story
Jones returned to Dallas for the 1980 season, replacing John Dutton and immediately elevating his performance. From 1981 to 1983, he earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors three times, becoming one of the league's most dominant defenders. His ability to bat down passes was so effective that it forced the NFL to officially track the statistic. In 1985, despite a hamstring injury, the 34-year-old recorded a career-high 13 sacks and 13 blocked passes; his batted pass in the fifteenth game led to Jim Jeffcoat's 65-yard touchdown return for an NFC East title win. By 1987, he led the team with 10 sacks again, including a single-game career-high of four against the New York Giants. In 1989, new coach Jimmy Johnson attempted to bench Jones for rookie Tony Tolbert, but fan outcry forced Johnson to let Jones start three more games to reach his milestone of 200 career starts.
Reader's Guide
Fans tracking Ed Jones' legacy should note that while the NFL did not recognize sacks as an official stat until 1982, the Cowboys credit him with 57.5 official and 106 unofficial sacks—third most in team history. He appeared in 224 games with 203 starts, accumulating 1,032 tackles (third all-time), 86 blocked passes, 19 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions. Jones retired on June 5, 1990, at age 39, having never missed a game in his 15-season career, tying Mark Tuinei and Bill Bates for the most seasons played in franchise history. Beyond football, he appeared as himself on "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Married... with Children," starred in a memorable 2009 GEICO commercial about his height, and served as a guest referee at WrestleMania 2 in 1986.
Did You Know?
- Jones was the first player from a historically black college to be selected first overall in the NFL draft.
- He achieved a perfect 6–0 professional boxing record, winning five fights by knockout.
- His success batting down passes convinced the NFL to begin tracking that statistic as an official stat starting in 1982.
- Jones was forced to choose between basketball and boxing after his high school coach read about his Golden Gloves knockout victory.
- Despite his legendary status, he has yet to be named to the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
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