Image Courtesy: Google Gemini
Ed Jones (born 1951) was a standout defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys. At 6 ft 9 in, he was a literal giant on the field, anchoring the Cowboys’ famed “Doomsday Defense” of the 1970s. The former Tennessee State star was drafted No. 1 overall in 1974 – notably the first player from a historically Black college to go first in the NFL draft. He played 15 seasons with Dallas (split by a year in boxing), helping the team win Super Bowl XII (1977 season). By the end of his career, he registered 106 sacks (third-most in team history) and earned three straight Pro Bowl selections (1981–83).
Story behind his Nickname
The nickname “Too Tall” has a funny origin story. Jones’ legendary height became literal fodder for humor very early. According to his college (Tennessee State) and Cowboys biographies, “Too Tall” was born during his very first football practice. Teammates tried to outfit him with a uniform, but his pants couldn’t reach below his knees. One of his teammates quipped that the team couldn’t find pants long enough for a man, so “too tall to play football,” and just like that, the nickname stuck. It was meant affectionately – indeed, 6’9″ Jones had been a star in basketball and was only switching to football – and it captured the imagination of everyone who saw him. The moniker both described his unusual stature and became a badge of pride. FOX Sports’ list of great athlete nicknames ranks “Too Tall” among the most iconic in sports history.
Fans loved it: “Ed is more than just a legend… For every Cowboys fan, Ed Jones is a legend,” one social media tribute read. Even a 2009 GEICO ad made fun of it by showing a nurse measuring Jones, only for the height rod to snap and say, “I’m just gonna guesstimate.”
Ed Jones himself has offered some candid insights over the years. One memorable quote comes from a 2016 interview (NESN) about his choice to leave the NFL for boxing in 1979. He said boxing was “probably the best decision [I] ever made,” because the tough training “made [me] a better football player”. In context, Jones walked away at age 28 – in the prime of his career – to pursue heavyweight boxing (a decision surprising to fans), then returned in 1980 and had his best football years.
