Ed "Too Tall" Jones is best known as the towering 6-foot-9 defensive end who anchored the Dallas Cowboys defense and won a Super Bowl ring. Yet, at the height of his football fame in 1979, Jones walked away from the NFL gridiron temporarily to step into a professional boxing ring. His venture into the sweet science wasn't just a brief publicity stunt; it was a serious athletic pivot that resulted in an undefeated professional boxing record of 6-0 (or 7-0 depending on exhibition counts, with 5 knockouts) before returning to football.
Understanding how an elite NFL Pro Bowler transitioned into a legitimate heavyweight prizefighter reveals a fascinating chapter of sports history. This article breaks down Jones's boxing career, his training under legendary figures, how his unprecedented physical dimensions translated to the ring, and the realities behind his record.
The Physical Phenom: Why Ed Jones Turned to Boxing
Standing 6 feet 9 inches with an 84-inch reach, Ed Jones possessed measurements that would terrify any opponent in any combat sport. After the 1978 NFL season with the Dallas Cowboys—following a Super Bowl XII victory—Jones felt a physical and mental itch for a new individual challenge. Unlike team sports where success is shared, boxing offered an isolated test of will.
He wasn't entirely green when he decided to lace up the gloves. Jones had sparred recreationally and trained under the watchful eye of boxing legend Floyd Patterson in New York. Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry wasn't initially thrilled with his star defensive lineman taking punches during the offseason, but Jones pursued the discipline with intense seriousness.
Transitioning from the Gridiron to the Canvas
Moving from football to boxing requires an entirely different conditioning regimen. While defensive linemen train for explosive power bursts lasting four to six seconds, boxing demands sustained cardiovascular endurance for three-minute rounds.
- Footwork Adjustment: Shuffling across turf against offensive linemen is worlds away from pivoting and cutting angles on a canvas canvas ring.
- Punch Resistance: Taking a bare-knuckle or lightly padded training blow is different from wearing eight-ounce boxing gloves, though Jones's immense size made him a difficult target to square up against.
- Weight Management: Jones fought around 235 to 240 pounds during his boxing stint, requiring him to lean out from his heaviest football playing weight to optimize speed and stamina.
The Professional Boxing Record and Key Bouts
Jones made his professional boxing debut on January 25, 1979, against Rulee Jones in Las Vegas. He secured a second-round knockout, immediately turning heads in the boxing community. Promoters realized that a 6-foot-9 former NFL star was a massive box-office draw.
Over the next several months, Jones rattled off consecutive victories against journeyman heavyants. His towering height gave him a massive jab advantage, keeping opponents at bay before he could land punishing straight rights.
- Debut Win: Defeated Rulee Jones by TKO in Las Vegas, January 1979.
- Undefeated Streak: Compiled a 6-0 professional record with five wins coming via knockout.
- Quality of Competition: While he didn't fight reigning world champions like Larry Holmes, Jones faced seasoned club fighters who tested his chin, stamina, and composure under the bright lights.
For more details on his multi-sport legacy, check out the Dallas Cowboys Official Site.
Why Jones Returned to the NFL
Despite finding early success in the ring, the financial realities and team loyalty pulled Jones back to football. In 1980, he re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys, missing the entire 1979 NFL season while boxing.
Upon his return, Tom Landry welcomed him back to the defensive line. Jones didn't skip a beat: he earned Pro Bowl honors three consecutive times from 1981 to 1983 and continued playing at an elite level until 1989. His brief boxing sabbatical ultimately sharpened his lateral quickness and hand-eye coordination, proving beneficial when he returned to rushing quarterbacks.
You can read more about his football achievements through the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Common Misconceptions About Ed Jones's Boxing Career
Because boxing history often gets muddled with urban legends and promotional hype, several myths surround Jones's time in the ring.
- Myth 1: He fought Ken Norton. While internet rumors occasionally claim Jones fought top contenders like Ken Norton or Larry Holmes, his actual professional opponents were regional heavyweights and club fighters, not elite title contenders.
- Myth 2: He retired from football to box permanently. Jones only took a one-year hiatus from the NFL during 1979 and returned to football for another decade.
- Myth 3: He won a heavyweight title. Jones won early professional bouts, but he never contended for or captured a major professional world heavyweight boxing championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ed Too Tall Jones's professional boxing record?
Ed Jones finished his professional boxing career with an undefeated record of 6 wins and 0 losses, with 5 of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Why did they call him Too Tall?
Standing at 6 feet 9 inches, he earned the nickname "Too Tall" during his college days at Tennessee State University because he towered over most of his teammates and opponents.
Did Ed Jones fight while still playing for the Cowboys?
No. He stepped away from the Dallas Cowboys for the entire 1979 NFL season to focus strictly on his boxing training and bouts, before returning to the team in 1980.
Who trained Ed Jones for boxing?
Jones trained extensively with former heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, who helped groom him for the technical demands of professional boxing.
