Jerry Jones, Who is he? Well, to many, he is a father, businessman, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Owner and CEO of the NFL franchise the Dallas Cowboys. But, how did he get to this point? Well, this is his story as told in the NFL Network original series “A Football Life.
In October of 1942, Jerral Wayne Jones (Jerry Jones) was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents were owners of a grocery store in his hometown and were fascinated with their work that he attended the University of Arkansas where he got a business degree.
On January 19, 1963, at the age of 20 years old, Jerry Jones married the love of his life and winner of Miss Arkansas Gene Jones. Since tying the knot, they have raised three children: Stephen Jones, Charlotte Jones, and Jerry Jones Jr. When they got older, they would be a part of the inner workings of the franchise. Stephen Jones is the Executive Vice President, CEO, and President of Player Personnel, Charlotte Jones is the Executive Vice President, and Chief `Brand Officer of the Dallas Cowboys, and Jerry Jones Jr. Is Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President.
Also in 1963, while still attending the University of Arkansas, he was also the running back for the Razorbacks football team. During the 1963 season, he led the school to a National Championship under then head coach Barry Switzer and fellow teammate Jimmy Johnson.
In 1989, he would strike oil and sold it and with the money he received, bought the Dallas Cowboys from the previous owner Bum Bright.
As he entered the NFL as an Owner and General Manager, he helped the league add teams like Carolina, Baltimore, Jacksonville, and Houston. He has also helped the league relocate teams. He moved the Raiders from Oakland to LA back to LA as well as to Las Vegas in 2017 and helped the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers relocate to Los Angeles, California.
Two days after joining the Cowboys, his first order of business was firing Tom Landry, the longest active head coach not only in the NFL but as a Dallas Cowboys. His replacement was former Arkansas teammate Jimmy Johnson.
Then that same year, Jerry Jones made the biggest trade in League history… When Hurshal Walker was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. That trade included 18 players and draft picks. During the Jimmy Johnson era, Jerry Jones won two Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993.
After the 1993 season, Jerry Jones relieved Jimmy Johnson as Cowboys head coach. In Johnsons’ place was former Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Beary Switzer. In 1995, Switzer won A Super Bowl under Jerry Jones.
Since winning their fifth Super Bowl in ‘95, the Dallas Cowboys have struggled to win a sixth championship in franchise history. In early to mid-2000’s the triplets (Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith) all retired and entered both the ring of honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In 2007, Jerry Jones announced that the Dallas Cowboys would be getting a new stadium for the start of the 2009 season. In week one of 2009 the Cowboys new home AT&T Stadium (originally called Cowboys Stadium). They took on the New York Giants. In the opening game, the Giants defeated the Cowboys. Not only was The Star Built for the Dallas Cowboys, but it also is the place for entertainment as well as the home for high school to play in Frisco, Texas. Six seasons later, the newly built The Star was the new home base for America’s team. Finally, in 2017, Jerry Jones bought the 2018 NFL Draft to AT&T Stadium.
From growing up in Arkansas to owning the Dallas Cowboys, has earned him a spot in football royalty… The Pro Football Hall of Fame.