James Deandre Jones (born March 31, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Jose State Spartans and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. With the Packers, he helped them win Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also played for the Oakland Raiders. After his playing career, Jones went into sports media and became an NFL Network analyst.[1] In September 2024, he became a co-host on Fox Sports 1's (FS1) sports talk show The Facility.
.JPG) Jones with the Oakland Raiders in 2014 | |||||||||
| No. 89 | |||||||||
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| Position | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | March 31, 1984 San Jose, California, U.S. | ||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 208 lb (94 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Gunderson (San Jose, California) | ||||||||
| College | San Jose State (2002–2006) | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 2007: 3rd round, 78th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Early life
editJones and his mother, Janet, lived in various homeless shelters. Jones then lived with his paternal grandmother during his high school years. At Gunderson High School in San Jose, California, Jones played basketball, track, and football.[2] During his senior year, Jones was his team's most valuable player as a quarterback.[2] Jones credits his Pop Warner football coach, Marion Larrea, with turning his life around. Larrea saw potential in Jones and treated him as part of his own family. Jones fine-tuned his skills at San Jose State under the leadership of wideout coach Keith (K-Dubb) Williams. After winning Super Bowl XLV in 2011, Jones autographed and gave his game-worn jersey to Larrea, saying he would not have achieved what he did without him.[3]
College career
editAfter three years at San Jose State University, Jones had a breakthrough 2006 senior season, where he caught 70 passes, good for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns.[2] Jones capped off his senior season by catching six passes (106 yards), two for touchdowns, en route to being named the offensive MVP of the inaugural New Mexico Bowl.[4] His accomplishments his senior year earned him second-team All-WAC honors along with an invite to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.[2][5]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+3⁄4 in (1.85 m) | 207 lb (94 kg) | 32+1⁄2 in (0.83 m) | 9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) | 4.58 s | 1.49 s | 2.62 s | 4.20 s | 7.06 s | 35 in (0.89 m) | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) | 22 reps | 9 |
| Arm and hand spans from Pro Day at San Jose State on March 6, 2007; other measurables from the NFL Scouting Combine[6][7][8] | ||||||||||||
Green Bay Packers (first stint)
editJones was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft with the 78th overall pick.[9]
Jones was a starter for the Packers in the first game of the 2007 season. He caught four passes for 29 total yards in a 16–13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones scored his first professional touchdown in a week four match-up vs. the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. With Green Bay leading 16–9, Brett Favre hit Jones on a pass down the right sideline that went 33 yards for a touchdown, giving Green Bay a 22–9 lead. The Packers would end up winning the game 23–16. Jones was announced as the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on October 28–29, 2007. Jones had three receptions for 107 yards including a first-quarter 79-yard touchdown in the Packers' 19–13 win over the Denver Broncos. Jones finished the year with 47 receptions for 676 yards and two touchdowns.[10]
In the 2008 season, Jones finished with 20 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown in ten games.[11]
Throughout the 2009 season, Jones remained third on the depth chart, behind longtime veterans Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.[12] In 2009, Jones caught 32 passes, had 440 receiving yards, and scored five touchdowns.[13] Jones added three receptions, 50 yards, and one touchdown in Green Bay's Wild Card playoff overtime 51–45 loss against the Arizona Cardinals.[14]
In 2010, Jones finished the season with 50 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns.[15] He scored two touchdowns in the 2010–11 NFL Playoffs, one in the Wild Card against the Philadelphia Eagles and another in the Divisional Round against the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers would go on to win Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Jones catching five passes for 50 yards in Green Bay's 31–25 win.[16]
Jones became a free agent in 2011. During the off season, it was widely speculated that Jones would seek a higher salary with another team. However, he signed a three-year contract to remain with the Packers on July 31.[17] In 2011, Jones accumulated 38 catches, 635 receiving yards, and scored 7 touchdowns.[18]
In 2012, Jones started all 16 regular season games for the first time in his career. He ended the season with a career-high 64 receptions, 784 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns.[19] His 14 touchdown receptions led the entire NFL.[20] On October 14, 2012, Jones caught two touchdown passes for the third consecutive game against the Houston Texans, tying a franchise record established by Don Hutson in 1943.[21] On December 16, against the Chicago Bears, Jones had three touchdown catches in a game for the first time in his career.[22] He also started both of Green Bay's games in the 2012–13 NFL Playoffs. In the Packers Wild Card playoff victory against the Minnesota Vikings, Jones posted 4 receptions for 51 yards.[23] The following week, Jones had 4 catches, 87 yards and 1 touchdown in the Packers Divisional Round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.[24]
In 2013, after the departure of Jennings and Driver during the off season, Jones started in 14 games. With 59 receptions and 3 touchdowns, Jones had a then career high 817 receiving yards and career long 83-yard reception.[25]
Oakland Raiders
editOn March 17, 2014, Jones signed a three-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.[26] On November 20, Jones had the game-winning touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs, winning the game for the Raiders, and ending their 16-game losing streak.[27] In his single season with the Raiders he led them in catches (73) and receiving touchdowns (6).[28] The Raiders released Jones on May 5, 2015, after the 2015 NFL draft and the selection of Amari Cooper along with the signing of Michael Crabtree from the San Francisco 49ers.[29]
New York Giants
editOn July 30, 2015, Jones signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants.[30] He was released by the Giants on September 5, 2015.[31]
Green Bay Packers (second stint)
editOn September 6, 2015, a day after being released by the Giants, Jones agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Packers.[32] Jones started the 2015 season with two receiving touchdowns against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, a 31–23 victory.[33] In Week 3, against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown in the 38–28 victory.[34]
On November 22, 2015, Jones became an Internet sensation after wearing a green hooded sweatshirt underneath his jersey during a 34-degree game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.[35][36][37] On June 9, 2016, it was reported by multiple sources that the NFL had added a rule for its rulebook in 2016, banning players from having their hooded sweatshirts over their shoulderpads, as it blocks the nameplate of the player's jersey. This will apply as a uniform violation and did not require a vote amongst team owners.[38]
For the second year in a row, he led his team in receiving touchdowns (8), while also leading the Packers in receiving yards (890).[39][40]
San Diego Chargers
editJones signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on August 2, 2016.[41] On August 29, 2016, he was released by the Chargers.[42]
Retirement
editOn September 6, 2017, Jones announced his retirement from the NFL.[43]
NFL career statistics
editPersonal life
editIn 2014, after signing with the Oakland Raiders, Jones and his family moved to San Ramon, California.[44] James Jones is married to Tamika, whom James met while they were freshmen at San Jose State.[45] He has a charitable organization, Love Jones 4 Kids, which provides financial support to homeless shelters.[46]
References
edit- ↑ Hodkiewicz, Wes (September 7, 2017). "James Jones lived the NFL dream". Packers.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "James Jones". Green Bay Packers. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ↑ Oliver, Pam (November 24, 2011). "Packers' Jones Never Stopped Fighting". Retrieved November 24, 2011.
- ↑ "New Mexico Bowl Champions!!!". San Jose State Spartans. December 23, 2006. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ↑ "Friday Feature: James Jones NFL Draft Next !". SJSUInsider.com. Fox Sports. April 27, 2007. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
- ↑ "James Jones NFL Draft Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ↑ "James Jones, San Jose State, WR, 2007 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
- ↑ Zilavy, Gary (December 14, 2017). "What'd That Packers Player Score on the Wonderlic?". The Power Sweep. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ↑ "James Jones 2007 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "James Jones 2008 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "James Jones Named NFL Rookie Of The Week". Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
- ↑ "James Jones 2009 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Wild Card - Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals - January 10th, 2010". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "James Jones 2010 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Super Bowl XLV - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers - February 6th, 2011". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ↑ Silverstein, Tom (July 31, 2011). "Packers agree to terms on three-year deal with Jones". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "James Jones 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "James Jones 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Who Are the Favorites for Every Major NFL Award After Week 17?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
- ↑ Reischel, Rob (October 16, 2012). "Packers' Jones goes from trade bait to standout". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - December 16th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Wild Card - Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers - January 5th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers - January 12th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "James Jones 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ Hanzus, Dan (March 17, 2014). "James Jones signs three-year contract with Raiders". NFL.com. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ↑ McLuskey, Dex (November 21, 2014). "Raiders End 16-Game NFL Losing Streak With 24-20 Win Over Chiefs". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "2014 Oakland Raiders Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ Williamson, Bill (May 4, 2015). "Making roster room: Raiders to cut WR Jones". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ Wesseling, Chris (July 30, 2015). "James Jones chooses Giants over other offers". NFL.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ↑ Eisen, Michael (September 5, 2015). "New York Giants announce 53-man roster". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
- ↑ Patra, Kevin (September 6, 2015). "James Jones to sign with Green Bay Packers". NFL.com. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - September 13th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers - September 28th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ Courtney, Stu (November 22, 2015). "James Jones' hoodie goes viral on big day". PackersNews.com. Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Photos: Packers WR James Jones is wearing a hoodie under his jersey". Sports Illustrated. November 22, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
- ↑ Demovsky, Rob (November 23, 2015). "Packers WR James Jones' hoodie was legal, Mike Pereira says". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
- ↑ Seifert, Kevin (June 9, 2016). "Source: Players Hoodies Banned On field as part of NFL Rules Update". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- ↑ "James Jones 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ "2015 Green Bay Packers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ Henne, Ricky (August 2, 2016). "Chargers Sign Veteran WR James Jones". Chargers.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ↑ Henne, Ricky (August 29, 2016). "Chargers release WR James Jones". Chargers.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ↑ Skiver, Kevin (September 6, 2017). "Former Packers wide receiver James Jones announces his retirement". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ↑ Leitereg, Neal J. (July 22, 2014). "Raiders receiver James Jones hauls in San Ramon home". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
- ↑ Wilde, Jason (March 8, 2016). "After childhood homelessness, James Jones doesn't fret over uncertainty of free agency". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ↑ Pompei, Dan (November 5, 2015). "How James Jones Found His Way Home". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
External links
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