| No. 26, 24 | |||||
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| Position | Safety | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born | (1952-06-29)June 29, 1952 (age 73) Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S. | ||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school | Middletown Township (Middletown Township, New Jersey) | ||||
| College | Rutgers | ||||
| NFL draft | 1975: 9th round, 226th overall pick | ||||
| Career history | |||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Ed Jones (born June 29, 1952) is an American former professionalfootballsafety for theEdmonton Eskimos andBC Lions of theCanadian Football League (CFL). He won fiveGrey Cups for the Eskimos and was a CFL All-Star. He also was a member of theBuffalo Bills in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theRutgers Scarlet Knights and was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the ninth round of the1975 NFL draft.
Jones grew up inMiddletown Township, New Jersey and didn't play organized football until attendingMiddletown Township High School inMiddletown, New Jersey.[1] He was a two-way player (running back anddefensive back) that also was a keyspecial teams performer.[2]
In 1969, before the state championships were played, he led his team to a 14–8 upset overToms River South High School, by returning a 67-yard kickoff to set up atouchdown run and intercepting a pass to seal the win.[3] The team finished with a 9–0 record. He received All-state honors as a senior.
Jones accepted a football scholarship fromRutgers University. As a sophomore, he was switched fromrunning back to defense during the season, earning the starting position at leftcornerback, collecting 3 interceptions and 16 kickoff returns for 315 yards. He also practicedtrack, competing in the100 and 220 metres.
As a junior in 1972, he wasredshirted with an injured shoulder. In 1973, he was second on the team with 4 interceptions and also returned 5 kickoffs for 90 yards.
As a senior in 1974, he led the team with 7 interceptions and received All-East honors. His career interception total (14) tied the school record set by John Pollock in 1968.[4]
In 1990, he was inducted into the Rutgers Athletics Hall of Fame.[5]
Jones was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the ninth round (226th overall) of the1975 NFL draft, also known as theDirty Dozen draft. He was released before the start of the season on August 11.[6]
On August 14,1975, he was claimed off waivers by theBuffalo Bills.[7] He played in 12 games (11 starts) atstrong safety, while missing 2 games with an arm injury. He registered 3 interceptions, one fumble recovery and receivedNFL 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.
In1976, he was signed by theEdmonton Eskimos of theCanadian Football League after a five-day trial. He played in the last four regular-season games and in two playoff games. He was coached byHugh 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 fortouchdowns).[8]
He helped the team win 5Grey Cups during his nine-year career, finishing with 30 career interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries and 3.5 sacks. On March 12,1984, he was traded to theBC Lions in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the1985 CFL draft.[9]
In1984, he played in only 9 games because of torn cartilage in his right knee and recorded one interception.[10] He was placed on the reserve list on October 19.[11]
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 the2014 CFL draft, his son Derek was selected in the fourth round (29th overall) by theWinnipeg Blue Bombers.