Ernie Jones
No. 31,37
Born: (1953-01-03) January 3, 1953 (age 71)
Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Defensive back
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
CollegeMiami (FL)
NFL draft1976 / Round: 5 / Pick: 153
Drafted bySeattle Seahawks
Career history
As player
1976Seattle Seahawks
1977–1979New York Giants
Career stats

Ernest Jones (born January 3, 1953) is a former professional American football defensive back who played in four NFL seasons from 1976 to 1979 for the Seattle Seahawks and the New York Giants.[1][2] He was drafted by the Seahawks in the 5th round of the 1976 NFL Draft after playing college football for the Miami Hurricanes.[3][4] After playing mostly as a backup cornerback for the Seahawks in 1976, the Seahawks moved him to free safety during the 1977 preseason, but he was waived before the start of the 1977 season and signed by the Giants.[5][6][7] Jones was waived by the Giants during the 1980 preseason and was not picked up by any other team, ending his pro football career.[8][9][10] Giants' head coach Ray Perkins said of waiving Jones that Jones could no longer play "at a level of winning football" due to a foot injury he suffered during the 1979 season and added that "I recommended he retire. Getting waived was his choice. I know we spoke to nine teams and there was no interest."[8] According to Jones' roommate and fellow Giants' defensive back Beasley Reece, Jones spent the 1980 offseason working to regain his mobility but wasn't able to.[10]

Personal life

After his playing career, in 1987 he became a police officer for the Miami Dade Police Department retiring as a Sergeant in 2012. He has 2 kids (son & daughter) and 3 Grandchildren. Currently resides in Miami, FL

References

  1. ^ "Ernie Jones". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  2. ^ Livingston, Howard (August 20, 1978). "Whirlwind rips through Giants' secondary". Poughkeepsie Journal. p. 8D. Retrieved 2022-10-18 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Luebker, Earl (April 9, 1976). "Seahawks decide offense can come out and play, too". News Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved 2022-10-18 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Dieffenbach, Leroy (July 2, 1976). "Kids will miss Ernie in summer activities". Boca Raton News. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-10-21 – via www.newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Jones getting trial at free safety spot". Spokesman-Review. July 22, 1977. p. 15. Retrieved 2022-10-21 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "'Hawks cut six players". Bellingham Herald. September 14, 1977. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-10-18 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Heisman winners axed in final NFL cutdown". Chillicothe Gazette. September 15, 1977. p. 17. Retrieved 2022-10-18 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Kernan, Kevin (August 27, 1980). "Reece loses a friend while Giants lose experience". The News. p. 11. Retrieved 2022-10-18 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Marks, Ed (August 26, 1980). "Ernie Jones latest veteran to go". Daily Record. p. 16. Retrieved 2022-10-18 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b Smith, Jim (August 27, 1980). "Giants' facelift purges Ernie Jones". Newsday. p. 97. Retrieved 2022-10-18 – via newspapers.com.
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