James Jones (running back, born 1958)

James Jones, Jr. is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons in the 1980s. Jones played college football for Mississippi State University, and thereafter, he played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.

Early years

Jones attended Vicksburg High School before moving on to Mississippi State University. He was a three year starter and a had a Junior year to remember, when he was one of the nation scoring leaders and received second team All-SEC honors. While playing in a pass-oriented offense, he led the team in rushing with 687 yards and 10 touchdowns, 24 receptions for 237 yards and 3 touchdowns, completed 2 passes for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns and had 3 two-point conversions.^[1] He scored 26 points in one game against Memphis State University.^[2]

In 1979, he was lost for the year after suffering a knee injury during a 28-9 victory against the University of Tennessee.^[3]

Professional career

Jones was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft. As one of Tony Dorsett's backups, he served the role of an all-purpose running back and the team's primary return specialist.

He suffered a serious left knee injury in 1982 that cost him most of the season, all of the next year and forced him to start the 1984 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, after having multiple operations.

In 1984 and 1985 he returned as a situational player. He retired before the start of the 1986 training camp.^[4]

Jones totaled 1,444 kickoff return yards (20.6 average) and 736 punt return yards (8.5 average) during his career. He registered 331 rushing yards, 312 receiving yards and 1 touchdown pass.

References

External links

• One of the Joneses' Becomes Cowboy Hero