Taiwan Jones is a former American football player who played as a running back and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on July 26, 1988, in Antioch, California, and attended Deer Valley High School in Antioch, where he played football and track.
Jones played college football at Eastern Washington University, where he was a standout player. He rushed for 1,213 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior year and was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He finished his college career with 3,755 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns.
Jones was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played for the Raiders for four seasons, primarily as a special teams player and backup running back. He was known for his speed and agility, which made him a valuable kick returner. In his rookie season, he returned a kickoff for a 105-yard touchdown, which was the longest kickoff return in Raiders history.
In 2015, Jones signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent. He played for the Bills for three seasons, where he continued to excel as a kick returner and special teams player. He also saw some playing time as a running back, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns in his three seasons with the team.
In 2018, Jones signed with the Houston Texans, where he played for two seasons. He was primarily used as a special teams player and backup running back, rushing for 94 yards and one touchdown in his two seasons with the team.
Jones announced his retirement from the NFL in May 2021, after playing for 10 seasons. He finished his career with 1,332 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 2,896 kick return yards.
Off the field, Jones was known for his charitable work and community involvement. He founded the Taiwan Jones Foundation, which provides support and resources to underprivileged youth in his hometown of Antioch, California. He also participated in various community service events and was a mentor to young athletes.
In conclusion, Taiwan Jones had a successful career as a kick returner and special teams player in the NFL. He was known for his speed and agility, which made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for. Off the field, he was a dedicated philanthropist and community leader, making a positive impact on the lives of many young people.
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