Tyrone Jones
Tyrone Jones (August 3, 1961 – June 10, 2008) was a gridiron football all-star and Grey Cup champion linebacker in the Canadian Football League.[1]
| No. 35, 69 | |
| Born: | August 3, 1961 St. Mary's, Georgia, United States |
|---|---|
| Died: | June 10, 2008 (aged 46) Brunswick, Georgia |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | LB |
| College | Southern University |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1983–1987 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1988 | Phoenix Cardinals (NFL) |
| 1989–1991 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 1992 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 1993 | British Columbia Lions |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 |
| Awards | 1984 - Grey Cup Most Valuable Player 1985 - CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award |
| Honors | 1984 & 1990 - Grey Cup Champion |
| Career stats | |
Born in St. Mary's, Georgia, Ty's football career began at Camden County High School, Camden County, Georgia. Jones played his college football at Southern University. He started his 9-year CFL career in 1983, eventually playing eight seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1983 to 1987 and 1989 to 1991), one with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (1992) and one with the B.C. Lions (1993). Though not drafted by the NFL, he tried out with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1988, playing one game for them.
He was a four-time CFL and five-time division All-Star. He still holds the Winnipeg career sack record (98) along with Grey Cup records for most sacks in a game (four) and most career Grey Cup sacks (five). He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 1985 and was on winning Grey Cup teams in 1984 and 1990 (winning the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player in 1984).[1][2]
Jones was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer (a teratoma) in August 2005 and fought the disease for nearly three years, dying on June 10, 2008 at the age of 46.[3][4][2] His teratoma was discovered when he blew a tooth from his tumor out of his nose.[3] Jones had three sons.[5]
In 2012, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
References
- Maki, Allan (2008-06-11). "Former CFL star Jones, 46, dies of cancer". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- Friesen, Paul (2008-06-11). "Milked life to the Max". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
- Maki: Jones returns to say goodbye, The Globe and Mail, November 16, 2006
- Maki, Allan (2008-04-03). "Tyrone Jones takes a downturn". The Globe and Mail.
- "Former CFL, Southern linebacker Tyrone Jones dies at 46". Associated Press. 2008-06-10. Archived from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved 2008-06-10.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
Further reading
- Bender, Jim (2008-06-14). "Ty Jones scholarship created". Winnipeg Sun.