Ed "Too Tall" Jones: A Legacy of Leadership and Impact on and off the Field
Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a former All-Pro defensive end, is remembered as a cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys' illustrious history. A pivotal figure in the Cowboys' triumph in Super Bowl XII, Jones accumulated an impressive 106 sacks over his 15-year career, etching his name among the elite in professional football.
Reflecting on his career, Jones emphasizes the crucial role that experienced players play in achieving postseason success. “If you look at these teams now that make the playoffs, like Buffalo, Baltimore, all those teams, they don't have anybody on those teams that won a Super Bowl in that locker room. To be a champion, you've got to be able to get to another level,” Jones asserts. His perspective is shaped by his time with the Cowboys, particularly during the era under coach Jimmy Johnson.
Under Johnson’s leadership, the Cowboys executed a monumental trade in the 1990s, acquiring Charles Haley, a veteran with two Super Bowl rings already under his belt from his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers. This move paid off handsomely as the Cowboys clinched their first of three Super Bowl titles over a four-year span shortly after Haley joined the team.
Jones underscores the importance of Haley’s contribution, not just in talent but in veteran leadership. “What separates good players and good teams is teams who have players who can go to another level in big games,” he says. “Every general manager in the league should be out trying to pick up a guy that gets cut or something that's been to a Super Bowl and put him in that locker room. It makes a big difference.”
For Jones, the value of internal leadership cannot be overstated. “The team plays too well every year. They win 12 games every year and they’re a different animal in the playoffs. Coaches can't do it all to put you over the top. You must have internal leadership. I’m not just talking about captains. I'm talking about a guy in that locker room that’s been there, done that, knows what he’s talking about, and players will follow.”
This kind of leadership, Jones argues, is something the current Cowboys roster lacks. “Who will they follow? Dallas don’t have it. Several teams don’t have it. That’s just one of the things. They’re missing a few horses in key positions, too, but oftentimes, when you have the right leadership and the right chemistry, you make up for it.”
Jones's insights are not just theoretical; they are born from his own experiences on the field. Although the Cowboys faced tough losses to a veteran Pittsburgh Steelers team in the 1970s, Jones took pride in how his young team competed. “That Pittsburgh team had nothing but veterans on both sides of the ball. Nothing but veterans. We were a very young team both times when they beat us in '75 and when they beat us in '78, even though we only lost by four points both games and [Roger] Staubach had the ball driving [late] in those games. I was proud of the way we hung in there against a veteran team because experience in big games is very important. Very important.”
Beyond his football career, Jones continues to inspire, particularly through his partnership with Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid that has significantly improved his mobility and quality of life. “I don’t know what I would do if it wasn’t for the Sportcane as far as being able to get around and still not letting anything hinder what I do in life,” Jones says, highlighting how this innovation has enabled him to maintain his active lifestyle.
Jones’s journey, both on and off the field, is a testament to the power of leadership and resilience. His career with the Cowboys not only exemplifies athletic excellence but also underscores the indispensable role that seasoned, battle-tested players play in guiding teams to new heights. As the Cowboys seek to return to their former glory, the wisdom and experiences of legends like Ed "Too Tall" Jones remain as relevant as ever.