Walter Jones (American football)

Last updated

Walter Jones
Walter-Jones-2008-11-02-vsEagles.jpg
Jones in 2008
No. 71
Position: Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1974-01-19) January 19, 1974 (age 50)
Aliceville, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school: Aliceville
College:
NFL draft: 1997  / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:180
Games started:180
Fumble recoveries:3
Player stats at PFR

Walter Jones Jr. (born January 19, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Born in Alabama, he played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

Contents

Jones played his entire professional career with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was a seven-time All-Pro selection and eventual NFL 2000s All-Decade Team honoree. Starting in each of his 180 games in Seattle, the Seahawks attempted more than 5,500 passes with Jones on the field, while Jones gave up a total of only 23 quarterback sacks, and was penalized for holding just nine times. On February 1, 2014, Jones was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

College career

Jones attended Holmes Community College for two seasons, where he was named Mississippi Junior College Player of the Year by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger in 1994. Then 6′5″ (1.96 m) and 265 pounds (120 kg), Jones played both offensive tackle and tight end. He allowed one sack in two seasons.

After transferring to Florida State University, Jones played for coach Bobby Bowden's Seminoles teams in 1995 and 1996. He had to redshirt the 1995 season. As a junior in 1996, Jones started 11 games and the Sugar Bowl for the Seminoles and allowed one sack, subsequently earning second-team All-ACC honors. He decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 1997 NFL draft. [1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 4+7⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		301 lb
(137 kg)		34+1⁄2 in
(0.88 m)		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		5.09 s1.84 s3.05 s4.73 s8.23 s30.5 in
(0.77 m)		9 ft 0 in
(2.74 m)
All values from NFL Combine [2] [3]

Jones was drafted by the Seahawks in the first round with the sixth overall pick in the 1997 NFL draft. [4] He started every game in which he played, beginning with his rookie season. Jones was a member of the 2005 Seahawks team that lost Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2006, Jones topped the list of the 101 best NFL players by the Sporting News.

Jones was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and seven-time All-Pro. Jones was perhaps the best at his position in the NFL during the early part of the decade, exemplified by being voted to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team. [5] From 1998 through 2000, he helped Ricky Watters achieve three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the Seahawks and, later, paved the way for Shaun Alexander's NFL record-setting success.

Jones was recognized by John Madden as the best player in the NFL in 2004 in a broadcast. Madden recognized Jones in numerous broadcasts as the best left tackle in the NFL and possibly one of the best of all time.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren has called Jones the best offensive player he had ever coached. [6]

On Thanksgiving 2008, Jones succumbed to a knee injury playing against the Cowboys in his 180th and final game. [7] The injury required microfracture surgery to repair and immediately ended his season. Jones tried to play again in 2009 but was unsuccessful. On October 28, 2009, Jones was placed on injured reserve by the Seahawks. In a press conference the same day, Jones stated his intention to play in 2010. [8] On April 29, 2010, Jones announced on his Twitter account that he would retire.

The Seahawks announced the retirement of his number, 71, and governor Christine Gregoire declared April 30 to be "Walter Jones Day" in the state of Washington. [9]

On December 5, 2010, in a game versus the Carolina Panthers, in front of a crowd of over 66,000, the Seahawks honored the career of Jones by retiring his #71 jersey. This was only the second player number (#80 Steve Largent was the first) to be retired by the Seahawks (they have also retired #12 in honor of the fans).

On January 8, 2011, Jones lifted the 12th Man flag at Qwest Field before the Seahawks' wild card matchup against the New Orleans Saints. [10] The 7–9 Seahawks went on to defeat the defending Super Bowl champion Saints 41–36.

On February 2, 2014, Jones served as the Seahawks' honorary captain at Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, prior to their 43–8 victory over the Broncos. This coincided with his election onto the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also helped former Giant and fellow Hall of Famer Michael Strahan toss the coin to end the pregame ceremonies.

Related Research Articles

Sam Adams is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, earning consensus All-American honors, and was selected eighth overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1994 NFL draft. Following six seasons as a member of the Seahawks, he earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors during his two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Adams was also part of the team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV and made another championship appearance in his one season for the Oakland Raiders in 2002. As a member of the Buffalo Bills from 2003 to 2004, Adams was named to a third Pro Bowl. He spent his last two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Randle</span> American football player (born 1967)

John Anthony Randle is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for eleven seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and three seasons for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was a six-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. Since becoming an official stat in 1982, his 137.5 sacks rank tenth, tied with Richard Dent, and first among defensive tackles. On February 6, 2010, he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played college football for the Trinity Valley Cardinals and the Texas A&I Javelinas, and was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent after the 1990 NFL draft. He is considered one of the greatest undrafted players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Allen</span> American football player (1971–2024)

Larry Christopher Allen Jr. was an American professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Butte Roadrunners and the Sonoma State Cossacks, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft. Allen is regarded as one of the NFL's physically strongest players ever, while also capable of using his speed against defenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Gallery</span> American football player (born 1980)

Robert J. Gallery is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard who played for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Iowa and received unanimous All-American recognition. He was selected with the second overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2004 NFL draft. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Brooks</span> American football player and executive (born 1973)

Derrick Dewan Brooks is an American former professional football linebacker who played for his entire 14-year career in the National Football League (NFL) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brooks played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earning consensus All-American honors twice. He was selected by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft. An 11-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro, Brooks was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2002 en route to winning the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXVII. Following his retirement, Brooks served as co-owner and president of the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League (AFL) from 2011 to 2017. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cortez Kennedy</span> American football player (1968–2017)

Cortez Kennedy was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for his entire 11-season career with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. He redefined and expanded the possibilities of how a large-bodied interior lineman could be used. In 1992, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award despite his team finishing 2–14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Barron (American football)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Alex Benjamin Barron is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 19th overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football for Florida State University, and was a two-time consensus All-American.

Michael Boulware is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Hutchinson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1977)

Steven John Hutchinson is an American former professional football player who was a guard for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, and was named a unanimous All-American. The Seattle Seahawks selected him in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft, and he also played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Robinson (fullback)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Burton Michael Robinson is an American former football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He is currently an analyst for the NFL Network and NBC.

Raymond Canute Donaldson is an American former professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Mebane</span> American football player (born 1985)

Brandon Jerome MebaneMEE-bayn; is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He attended Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles. He played college football for the California Golden Bears. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Bryant</span> American football player (born 1984)

Joseph Anthony "Red" Bryant is a former American football defensive tackle. He played college football at Texas A&M, and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL draft. Bryant was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Okung</span> American football player (born 1988)

Russell Okung is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and was twice recognized as an All-American, including a unanimous selection in 2009. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the sixth overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, and also played for the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Thomas</span> American football player (born 1989)

Earl Winty Thomas III is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and received consensus All-American honors and played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He left after his redshirt sophomore year and he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. During his time with the Seahawks, he made 6 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams as he was a core member of the Legion of Boom defense, winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos and started in Super Bowl XLIX. After nine seasons with Seattle, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent and played one season while earning his 7th Pro Bowl invite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kam Chancellor</span> American football player (born 1988)

Kameron Darnel Chancellor, nicknamed "Bam Bam Kam", is an American former professional football safety who spent his entire nine-year career with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies prior to being selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowler, he was one of the key members of their Legion of Boom secondary. He also helped lead the Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Chancellor retired following complications from a neck injury he suffered in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Irvin</span> American football player (born 1987)

Bruce Pernell Irvin Jr. is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round with the 15th overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Irvin won Super Bowl XLVIII over the Denver Broncos, and also played in Super Bowl XLIX where he became the first player ever to be ejected from a Super Bowl. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandler Jones</span> American football player (born 1990)

Chandler James Jones is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for the Syracuse Orange and was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. He has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Wagner</span> American football player (born 1990)

Bobby Joseph Wagner is an American professional football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah State Aggies and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Wagner also played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legion of Boom (Seattle Seahawks)</span> Nickname for the early 2010s Seattle Seahawks defensive backfield

The Legion of Boom (LOB) was the Seattle Seahawks secondary in the 2010s. The original group that was nicknamed the Legion of Boom consisted of the starters in the Seahawks defensive backfield: Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner, Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell.

References

  1. ↑ "FSU's Jones reportedly to enter NFL Draft". The Palm Beach Post. January 8, 1997.
  2. ↑ "Walter Jones, Combine Results, OT - Florida State". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Walter Jones RAS". ras.football. January 23, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  4. ↑ "1997 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams - 2010s". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  6. ↑ "An appreciation for the great Walter Jones". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Farewell, Walter". Seahawks.com. May 1, 2010. Archived from the original on May 1, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Walter Jones - RIP? Not so fast, brother | Seattle Sports Insider". October 28, 2009. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ Greg Johns (April 30, 2010). "Walter Jones: 'I'm ready to move on'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Seahawks-Saints Game Thread | Sportspress Northwest". Sportspress Northwest. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.