It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how Ed “Too Tall” Jones got his nickname. Standing at a towering 6 feet 8 inches, the Jackson, Tennessee native was simply too tall for opposing linemen and quarterbacks to handle.

Jones was a standout high school basketball player and was recruited to Tennessee State University, where he initially played basketball for two years. Fortunately for TSU—and eventually, the NFL—he made a life-changing decision to switch to football. His choice paid off, earning him All-American honors in both his junior and senior years.

Jones gained national recognition in 1974 when the Dallas Cowboys selected him as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. As a dominant defensive end, he spent 15 seasons with Dallas, setting a franchise record with 194 career starts before retiring at the end of the 1989 season.

A key force in the Cowboys’ legendary “Doomsday Defense” of the 1970s, Jones consistently earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. He played in 20 playoff games and was selected for three consecutive Pro Bowls from 1981 to 1983, earning All-Pro honors in 1981 and 1982. His contributions helped propel the Cowboys to three Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XII in 1978 and solidifying their reputation as “America’s Team.”

In 1979, Jones took a brief hiatus from football to pursue professional boxing, compiling a perfect 6-0 record before returning to the Cowboys just a year later.

Beyond football, Jones has showcased his versatility in entertainment, appearing in films like Necessary Roughness and Squeeze Play, as well as guest-starring in popular TV shows such as Diff’rent Strokes and Married… with Children. He also has a passion for rhythm and blues music and enjoys hot yoga.

Now retired, Jones continues to reside in Dallas, where his legacy as one of the greatest defensive players in Cowboys history remains firmly intact.