Willie Jones (defensive lineman, born 1942)

Last updated

Willie Jones
No. 71, 74, 78, 72 [1]
Position: Defensive lineman
Personal information
Born: (1942-05-28) May 28, 1942 (age 83)
Moro, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school: McKinley
(St. Louis, Missouri)
College: Kansas State (1962–1965)
NFL draft: 1966: 18th round, 271st pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Willie Lee Jones (born May 28, 1942) is an American former professional football defensive lineman who played four seasons with the Houston Oilers and Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football at Kansas State and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round of the 1966 NFL draft. He also played for the Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League (WFL).

Contents

Early life and college

Willie Lee Jones was born on May 28, 1942, in Moro, Arkansas. [1] He attended McKinley High School in St. Louis, Missouri. [1]

Jones played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats of Kansas State University. He was on the freshman team in 1962 and was a three-year letterman from 1963 to 1965. [1]

Professional career

Jones was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round, with the 271st overall pick, of the 1966 NFL draft. However, he did not sign with the Cardinals.

Jones signed with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League (AFL) in 1967. [2] He played in six games, starting three, for the Oilers during the 1967 before being released on October 27, 1967. [2]

In January 1968, Jones was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1968 AFL expansion draft. [2] He started one game for the Bengals during the 1968 season. [3] He played in ten games, starting five, in 1970, recording one sack and one fumble recovery. [3] Jones also played in one playoff game that year. [3] He appeared in five games in 1971. [3]

In April 1973, Jones was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for a future draft pick. [4] However, he was later released. [2]

Jones was a member of the Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League (WFL) during the 1974 WFL season. [1] He re-signed with the Steamer on June 10, 1975. [2] He retired on August 27, 1975, during the 1975 WFL season. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Willie Jones". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Willie Jones Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Willie Jones". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  4. "Bengals trade 2 for draft picks". Great Falls Tribune . Associated Press. April 23, 1973. Retrieved June 1, 2025.