Ed "Too Tall" Jones Biography
Ed "Too Tall" Jones was an American professional football player and boxer who became one of Dallas's most recognizable sports figures during his dual athletic careers spanning the 1970s and 1980s. Born on February 24, 1951, in Jackson, Tennessee, Jones earned his distinctive nickname due to his exceptional height of 6'9", which was uncommon for football players of his era. He is best known for his 15-season career as a defensive end with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL), where he became a Pro Bowl selection and a key component of the Cowboys' defense during the team's most successful period. Beyond his accomplishments on the football field, Jones gained international attention by pursuing a professional boxing career while maintaining his NFL commitments, making him a unique figure in American sports history and a lasting cultural icon in Dallas.[1]
History
Edward Lee "Too Tall" Jones was born in Jackson, Tennessee, to a family with limited financial resources, but his exceptional athletic ability became apparent early in his development. Jones attended Madison Central High School in Madison, Mississippi, where he initially played basketball before transitioning to football, leveraging his extraordinary height and athletic coordination. He proceeded to Tennessee State University, where he played college football for the Tigers and distinguished himself as one of the most dominant defensive linemen in college football during the early 1970s. His performance at Tennessee State caught the attention of NFL scouts, and the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the first overall pick in the 1974 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of a transformative relationship between Jones and the franchise that would define both his career and the organization's defensive identity for nearly two decades.
Jones's entry into professional football coincided with the Cowboys' emergence as one of the National Football League's most successful franchises. During his rookie season in 1974, Jones demonstrated the versatility and athleticism that would make him invaluable to the Cowboys' defensive scheme. Under the coaching guidance of Tom Landry, whose innovative defensive strategies emphasized individual player skill and flexibility, Jones developed into a pass rusher of exceptional capability. By the mid-1970s, he had established himself as one of the league's premier defensive ends, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors. His presence on the Cowboys' defensive line contributed significantly to the team's two Super Bowl appearances during the late 1970s, including Super Bowl XII, which the Cowboys won following the 1977 season. Throughout his time with Dallas, Jones became a cultural ambassador for the franchise, representing the team's commitment to excellence and establishing himself as one of the most recognizable athletes in Texas sports history.[2]
Culture
Ed "Too Tall" Jones transcended his role as a professional athlete to become a significant cultural figure in Dallas and throughout the broader American sports landscape during the 1970s and 1980s. His decision to pursue professional boxing while simultaneously maintaining his NFL career represented an unprecedented challenge in American professional sports, generating substantial media attention and public fascination. In 1979, at the height of his football career, Jones announced his intention to pursue boxing professionally, a decision that surprised team management, opponents, and fans alike. He trained under the legendary boxing coach Don King and competed in the heavyweight division, demonstrating the versatility and fearlessness that characterized his athletic approach. This unconventional career path illustrated Jones's confidence in his physical abilities and his desire to test himself against elite competitors in another demanding sport, establishing him as a pioneering figure in cross-sport athletic pursuits.
The cultural impact of Jones extended beyond his athletic achievements to encompass his role as a civil rights figure and community advocate in Dallas. As one of the most prominent African American athletes in professional football during an era when the sport was undergoing significant demographic changes, Jones carried considerable symbolic importance for Black communities throughout Texas and the nation. He used his platform and visibility to address social issues and serve as a role model for young athletes, particularly emphasizing the importance of education and personal development. Jones's presence on the Dallas Cowboys roster during the team's most successful period helped establish the franchise as an organization that valued excellence and diversity. His retirement from football in 1978 to pursue boxing, followed by his return to the Cowboys in 1980, demonstrated a level of athletic versatility and determination that earned him respect from teammates, competitors, and the sporting public. The combination of his distinctive physical appearance, his notable achievements in multiple sports, and his engagement with community issues established Jones as a multidimensional public figure whose significance extended beyond the football field.[3]
Notable People
Ed "Too Tall" Jones's career intersected with numerous other significant figures in Dallas sports history and professional football during one of the franchise's most successful eras. His teammates on the Dallas Cowboys included several hall-of-fame caliber players and future inductees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, creating a defensive unit of exceptional talent and effectiveness. Jones worked alongside legendary quarterback Danny White, running back Tony Dorsett, and other offensive stars whose achievements contributed to the Cowboys' sustained success throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. His defensive line partners, including Bob Lilly and Harvey Martin, represented another dimension of excellence within the organization. Coach Tom Landry's coaching staff, which included notable defensive coordinator Ernie Stautner, provided the strategic framework that enabled Jones's talents to flourish within the Cowboys' sophisticated defensive system.
Beyond his immediate teammates, Jones's career was shaped by interactions with numerous influential figures in professional boxing, including promoter Don King, who managed Jones's heavyweight boxing career. His boxing pursuits connected him to the broader heavyweight division of professional boxing during the late 1970s, placing him in contact with prominent boxers and boxing personalities of the era. Journalists and sports commentators throughout Dallas and the nation covered Jones's unique dual-sport career extensively, contributing to his prominence in the sports media landscape. Jones's family members, particularly those who supported his unconventional career choices, played important roles in his development as an athlete and public figure. His legacy influenced subsequent generations of Dallas Cowboys players and athletes who have pursued unconventional paths or engaged in community advocacy alongside their professional careers.
Education
Ed "Too Tall" Jones's educational background at Tennessee State University proved foundational to his development as both an athlete and a public figure who understood the importance of academic achievement. Tennessee State University, a historically Black university (HBCU) located in Nashville, provided Jones with a rigorous educational environment while allowing him to develop his football skills at a competitive collegiate level. His time at Tennessee State coincided with the civil rights era, and the university's mission of providing educational opportunities to African American students shaped Jones's perspective on community responsibility and social engagement. The academic environment at Tennessee State emphasized the importance of education alongside athletic development, principles that Jones carried throughout his professional career and his subsequent involvement in community affairs.
Throughout his professional career, Jones maintained connections to educational institutions and demonstrated commitment to educational advancement within the Dallas community. His prominence as a professional athlete made him a valuable resource for schools and youth organizations seeking to promote both athletic development and academic excellence. Jones's career trajectory illustrated the value of educational credentials in combination with athletic ability, particularly for African American athletes navigating professional sports environments during the 1970s and 1980s. His engagement with educational institutions extended to his post-athletic career, where he participated in various community and business ventures that benefited from his reputation and his understanding of organizational development. The emphasis on education that characterized Jones's collegiate experience at Tennessee State remained evident throughout his engagement with Dallas institutions and his efforts to promote educational opportunities for young people in Texas communities.[4]