In 1979, Edward Lee Jones shocked the sports world by walking away from the Dallas Cowboys at the peak of his athletic career. He didn't leave because of an injury or a contract dispute. Instead, the iconic defensive end traded his football helmet for boxing gloves to pursue a lifelong dream in the heavyweight division. Standing six feet and nine inches tall, his brief detour into professional boxing remains one of the most unusual athlete transitions in sports history.
Before his famous boxing stint, Jones carved out a dominant path on the gridiron. Growing up in Jackson, Tennessee, he starred in basketball and baseball at Merry High School, playing only three games of high school football because his school didn't support the sport until his senior year. He arrived at Tennessee State University on a basketball scholarship in 1970 before transitioning to football. His towering frame and explosive speed caught the attention of NFL scouts. In 1974, the Dallas Cowboys selected him first overall in the NFL draft. He made history as the first player from a Historically Black College or University to be drafted with the top overall pick.
As a cornerstone of Tom Landry's famous Doomsday Defense, Jones helped anchor the Cowboys line through the late seventies. He played five stellar seasons, appearing in three Super Bowls and winning Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos. By early 1979, he held a championship ring and regular starter status. Yet, a childhood ambition gnawed at him. He had fought a Golden Gloves bout in high school before his basketball coach forced him to choose between sports, and he felt an unfulfilled urge to see what he could do in the ring.
When his contract expired after the 1978 season, Jones stunned the Cowboys organization and fans by retiring. He didn't waste time lamenting the decision. He immediately threw himself into grueling boxing training camps. Because he was already a massive sports star, television networks eagerly broadcasted his matches. Promoting himself carefully, he sought to build a legitimate record from the ground up rather than jumping straight into a championship title fight.
During his brief time away from the NFL, Jones compiled a perfect 6-0 professional boxing record. He secured five of those six victories by knockout. Opponents struggled to deal with his unprecedented reach, height, and raw power. Even though he lacked high-level amateur experience outside of a single high school match, his natural athleticism and competitive drive carried him through. Sports analysts often debated whether he could have challenged top-tier heavyweights if he stuck with the sport longer, but his boxing career lasted less than a year.
The pull of football proved too strong to resist permanently. Missing the camaraderie of the locker room and realizing he still had plenty of good years left on the gridiron, Jones made a surprising U-turn. In 1980, he unretired and signed back with the Dallas Cowboys. Fans welcomed him with open arms, and coaches slotted him right back into his familiar defensive end position.
His return didn't miss a beat. For the next decade, Jones terrorized opposing quarterbacks with his trademark pass-rushing skills and knack for batting down passes at the line of scrimmage. His proficiency at swatting away balls actually prompted the NFL to start keeping official statistics for batted passes. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 1981, 1982, and 1983 while capturing first-team All-Pro honors in 1982.
Injuries didn't slow him down much either. In 1985, despite playing through a nagging hamstring issue, he recorded a career-high 13 sacks. He played a full 15 seasons in the NFL, never missing a game due to a major injury during his active stretches. When he finally retired for good following the 1989 season, he left behind an unofficial tally of 106 sacks, cementing his status as an all-time franchise great.
Looking back, his brief boxing career isn't viewed as a gimmick, but rather as the bold adventure of a unique athlete who refused to live with regrets. Very few professional players possess the physical gifts to succeed at the highest level in one sport, let alone step into a combat sport ring and win every single bout. Ed Jones proved that his nickname wasn't just about his height, but also about his larger-than-life ambitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ed Too Tall Jones leave the NFL for boxing?
Jones wanted to fulfill a childhood dream of competing as a professional boxer. Since his contract with the Dallas Cowboys expired after the 1978 season, he felt it was his final window to try boxing before he grew too old.
What was Ed Too Tall Jones boxing record?
He finished his brief professional boxing career with a pristine 6-0 record, securing five of those wins by knockout.
How long did Ed Too Tall Jones play in the NFL?
He played for 15 total seasons with the Dallas Cowboys across two stints, running from 1974 to 1978 and returning from 1980 to 1989.
Did Ed Too Tall Jones win a Super Bowl?
Yes, he won Super Bowl XII with the Dallas Cowboys in 1978, defeating the Denver Broncos. He also appeared in two other Super Bowls during his career.
