James Jones (wide receiver) facts for kids
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Jones with the Oakland Raiders in 2014
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | March 31, 1984 San Jose, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 208 lb (94 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Gunderson (San Jose, California) | ||||||
| College: | San Jose State (2002–2006) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2007 / Round: 3 / Pick: 78 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
James DeAndre Jones, born on March 31, 1984, is a former professional football player. He was a talented wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). James played college football for the San Jose State Spartans. The Green Bay Packers chose him in the 2007 NFL draft.
With the Packers, he helped his team win Super Bowl XLV. He also played for the Oakland Raiders. After his football career, Jones became a sports analyst for NFL Network. In September 2024, he started co-hosting a sports talk show called The Facility on Fox Sports 1 (FS1).
Early Life and Football Start
James Jones had a challenging start to life, living in different places with his mother. During his high school years, he lived with his grandmother. At Gunderson High School in San Jose, California, James was a multi-sport athlete. He played basketball, ran track, and excelled in football.
In his senior year, James was the most valuable player on his football team. He played as a quarterback. James often says that his Pop Warner football coach, Marion Larrea, changed his life. Coach Larrea saw James's potential and treated him like family. James improved his skills at San Jose State with the help of wide receiver coach Keith Williams. After winning Super Bowl XLV in 2011, James gave his game-worn jersey to Coach Larrea. He said he couldn't have done it without him.
College Football Journey
After three years at San Jose State University, James Jones had an amazing senior season in 2006. He caught 70 passes for 893 yards. He also scored 10 touchdowns. James finished his senior year by catching six passes for 106 yards. Two of those catches were for touchdowns. This performance earned him the offensive MVP award at the first-ever New Mexico Bowl. His achievements in his senior year also earned him second-team All-WAC honors.
Professional Football Career
Green Bay Packers (First Time)
The Green Bay Packers picked James Jones in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He quickly became a starter for the Packers in the first game of the 2007 season. He caught four passes in their 16–13 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
James scored his first professional touchdown in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings. Brett Favre threw a 33-yard pass to Jones for the touchdown. The Packers won that game 23–16. James was named the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for his great play. He had three receptions for 107 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown. He finished his first year with 47 catches for 676 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2009, James continued to be a key player for the Packers. He caught 32 passes for 440 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. He also added a touchdown in the playoffs against the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2010 season was a big one for James and the Packers. He had 50 catches for 679 yards and 5 touchdowns. He scored two touchdowns in the 2010–11 NFL Playoffs. One was against the Philadelphia Eagles and another against the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers went on to win Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In that Super Bowl, James caught 5 passes for 50 yards, helping Green Bay win 31–25.
After the Super Bowl win, James signed a new contract to stay with the Packers. In 2011, he had 38 catches for 635 yards and scored 7 touchdowns.
The 2012 season was a standout year for James. He started all 16 regular season games for the first time. He had a career-high 64 catches and 784 receiving yards. He also led the entire NFL with 14 touchdown receptions. On October 14, 2012, he caught two touchdown passes for the third game in a row. This tied a team record set way back in 1943. On December 16, he caught three touchdowns in one game against the Chicago Bears. He also played in both of Green Bay's playoff games that year.
In 2013, James started 14 games. He had 59 catches and a career-high 817 receiving yards. He also had an 83-yard reception, his longest ever.
Oakland Raiders
On March 17, 2014, James Jones joined the Oakland Raiders. On November 20, he caught the game-winning touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. This win ended the Raiders' 16-game losing streak. In his only season with the Raiders, he led the team in catches (73) and receiving touchdowns (6). The Raiders released James in May 2015.
New York Giants
James signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants on July 30, 2015. However, he was released by the Giants on September 5, 2015.
Green Bay Packers (Second Time)
Just one day after being released by the Giants, James Jones returned to the Packers. He signed a one-year deal on September 6, 2015. James started the 2015 season strong with two receiving touchdowns against the Chicago Bears. In Week 3, he had seven catches for 139 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
On November 22, 2015, James became famous online for wearing a green hooded sweatshirt under his jersey. It was a cold 34-degree game against the Minnesota Vikings. In 2016, the NFL added a rule to ban players from wearing hoodies over their shoulder pads. This was because it blocked the player's name on the jersey.
For the second year in a row, James led his team in receiving touchdowns (8). He also led the Packers in receiving yards (890).
San Diego Chargers
James signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on August 2, 2016. He was released by the Chargers on August 29, 2016.
Retirement
On September 6, 2017, James Jones announced he was retiring from the NFL.
Life After Football
In 2014, after joining the Oakland Raiders, James Jones and his family moved to San Ramon, California. James is married to Tamika, whom he met when they were both freshmen at San Jose State. He also has a charity called Love Jones 4 Kids. This organization helps provide money to homeless shelters.
Images for kids
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Jones with the Oakland Raiders in 2014
