Ed "Too Tall" Jones is a former American football player who played as a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). Jones was born on February 23, 1951, in Jackson, Tennessee, and grew up in a family of farmers. He attended the University of Tennessee, where he played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Jones was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the best defensive ends in the league, using his height and athleticism to disrupt opposing offenses. Jones was known for his ability to rush the passer, and he recorded 106 sacks during his career.
Jones played for the Cowboys for 15 seasons, from 1974 to 1978 and from 1980 to 1989. He took a hiatus from football in 1979 to pursue a career in professional boxing, but returned to the Cowboys the following year. Jones was a key member of the Cowboys' "Doomsday Defense," which helped the team win three Super Bowl championships in the 1970s.
Jones was named to three Pro Bowls during his career, and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 1981. He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1980s. Jones retired from football after the 1989 season, and was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1994.
After retiring from football, Jones returned to boxing, and compiled a record of 6-0 as a professional. He also pursued a career in acting, appearing in several movies and television shows. Jones was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jones is remembered as one of the greatest defensive ends in NFL history. His height and athleticism made him a dominant force on the field, and his contributions helped the Dallas Cowboys become one of the most successful teams of the 1970s and 1980s.
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