Donnie Jones is a former American football punter who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2004, but was released before the start of the regular season. Jones then signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Rams in 2007.
Jones spent three seasons with the Rams, during which he established himself as one of the top punters in the league. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2009 and was also named a second-team All-Pro that year. In 2010, Jones signed with the Houston Texans, where he played for four seasons. He continued to perform at a high level, earning another Pro Bowl selection in 2012.
In 2013, Jones signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for five seasons. He was a key contributor to the team's Super Bowl LII victory in 2018, punting four times for an average of 41.3 yards per punt in the game. Jones retired from the NFL following the 2018 season, finishing his career with 1,110 punts for 49,267 yards and a 44.4-yard average.
Throughout his career, Jones was known for his consistency and ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. He finished his career with 305 punts inside the 20-yard line and only 46 touchbacks. Jones was also known for his durability, playing in all 16 games in 12 of his 14 seasons in the league.
Off the field, Jones was active in charitable work, including his support of the Eagles Autism Challenge and his work with the Donnie Jones Foundation, which provides scholarships and other support to underprivileged youth. Jones was also known for his leadership and mentorship of younger players, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches throughout his career.
Overall, Donnie Jones had a successful career as a punter in the NFL, earning two Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as one of the top players at his position. His consistency, durability, and leadership made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for, and his charitable work off the field further cemented his legacy as a respected and admired player.
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