Standing six-feet, nine-inches tall with a massive wingspan, Edward Lee "Ed Too Tall" Jones did not just blend into professional football—he towered over it. Selected first overall in the 1974 NFL Draft out of Tennessee State University, Jones became the cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys' legendary "Doomsday Defense" and the first player drafted #1 out of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Yet his legacy stretches far beyond standard gridiron statistics. In the prime of his athletic career, he shocked the sports world by walking away from the NFL to pursue professional boxing, later returning to claim an All-Pro selection and cement his status as a cultural icon.
Understanding the full scope of Ed Too Tall Jones requires looking past the nickname and examining how a raw basketball recruit from Jackson, Tennessee, transformed athletic stature into a blueprint for modern sports stardom.
From Basketball Prospect to Gridiron Giant
Born in 1951, Jones arrived at Tennessee State University in 1970 on a basketball scholarship. Football was barely on his radar; he had only played three games in high school because his school did not field a team until his senior year. However, his extraordinary height and natural coordination caught the attention of coaches who recognized that his physical dimensions belonged on the gridiron.
The origin of his famous moniker is rooted in practical wardrobe struggles. During his early days at TSU, the equipment room could not properly fit his 6'8" frame with standard football pants. A teammate remarked that he was simply "too tall for football," and the nickname stuck for life.
By his junior year, Jones had transitioned fully to defensive end, earning All-American honors and leading the Tigers to an undefeated season in 1973. His dominance convinced the Dallas Cowboys to make him the top pick in the 1974 draft—a historic milestone for HBCU football programs.
The Doomsday Defense and Super Bowl Glory
Jones didn't instantly dominate as a rookie, but by his second season in 1975, he claimed the starting left defensive end job and became a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Operating within Tom Landry's sophisticated defensive scheme, Jones utilized his towering height and 88-inch reach to disrupt passing lanes, block passes at an unprecedented rate, and collapse the pocket.
His impact directly influenced how the NFL recorded defensive statistics. His uncanny ability to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage forced statisticians and coaches to pay closer attention to disrupted aerial plays. Over 15 seasons with Dallas, playing in 224 consecutive games without missing a single contest, Jones recorded 57.5 official sacks (with franchise records tallying 106 career sacks) and over 1,000 tackles.
He appeared in three Super Bowls, helping the Cowboys defeat the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII. His peak individual recognition arrived after his return from the boxing ring, capturing first-team All-Pro honors in 1982 and earning three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 1981 to 1983.
The Shocking Boxing Interlude of 1979
Few elite athletes walk away from a championship team while in their athletic prime, but Ed Too Tall Jones did exactly that at the end of the 1979 season. Having dreamed of fighting professionally since childhood, he allowed his contract to expire and traded shoulder pads for boxing gloves.
Training intensely as a heavyweight, Jones compiled a professional boxing record of 6-0, securing five victories by knockout. Because of his immense fame as a Cowboys star, his bouts were nationally televised spectacles.
While boxing purists and critics occasionally questioned the caliber of his opponents, Jones proved he possessed genuine athletic discipline and toughness. After a year away, personal reflection and lingering competitive desires pulled him back to the gridiron. He re-signed with Dallas ahead of the 1980 season, seamlessly sliding back into his role as a defensive powerhouse and proving that his brief hiatus hadn't eroded his football instincts.
Cultural Impact and Life After Football
Beyond athletic achievements, Jones mastered the intersection of sports, humor, and media. Rather than shrinking from his towering stature, he leaned into it with self-aware charm. Memorable television commercials—including a famous spot where a nurse's height rod breaks when trying to measure him—cemented his status as a pop culture fixture.
Following his retirement from the NFL in 1989, Jones transitioned into business, event management, and community advocacy. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Black College Football Hall of Fame, cementing his enduring legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall was Ed Too Tall Jones?
Ed Too Tall Jones is officially listed at 6 feet 9 inches tall (2.06 meters) with an 88-inch reach.
How many Super Bowls did Ed Too Tall Jones win?
He appeared in three Super Bowls (XII, X, and XIII) with the Dallas Cowboys and won Super Bowl XII against the Denver Broncos.
Why did Ed Too Tall Jones leave football to box?
Jones had a childhood ambition of fighting professionally. When his initial NFL contract expired after the 1979 season, he chose to pursue that lifelong dream, compiling a 6-0 record as a heavyweight boxer before returning to the Dallas Cowboys in 1980.
What are his official career statistics?
Over his 15-year NFL career, Jones played in 224 games, recording 57.5 official sacks (106 unofficial franchise-counted sacks), 1,032 tackles, and 19 fumble recoveries.
