James Jones (wide receiver) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
James Jones

Jones with the Oakland Raiders in 2014
No. 89
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1984-03-31) March 31, 1984 (age 41) San Jose, California, U.S.
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
Green Bay Packers (2007–2013) Oakland Raiders (2014) New York Giants (2015)* Green Bay Packers (2015) San Diego Chargers (2016)*
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLV) NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2012) Second-team All-WAC (2006) New Mexico Bowl Offensive MVP (2006)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 433 Receiving yards: 5,861 Receiving touchdowns: 51
Player stats at PFR

James DeAndre Jones (born March 31, 1984) is a former American 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. This was a huge championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also played for the Oakland Raiders. After his football career, James 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 Challenges

James Jones and his mother, Janet, faced tough times. They lived in different homeless shelters when he was young. Later, James lived with his grandmother during his high school years. 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 final year of high school, 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 Career

After three years at San Jose State University, James had an amazing senior season in 2006. He caught 70 passes, gaining 893 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns. James finished his senior year by catching six passes for 106 yards. He scored two touchdowns in the first-ever New Mexico Bowl. This performance earned him the offensive MVP award for that game.

His achievements that year earned him a spot on the second-team All-WAC list. He also received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. This event is where college players show off their skills to NFL teams.

Professional Football Journey

First Time with the Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers picked James Jones in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He was the 78th player chosen overall.

Jones with the Packers in 2012.

James started his first NFL game for the Packers in the 2007 season. He caught four passes in a 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 him for the score. The Packers won that game 23–16.

James was named the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week after a game in October 2007. He had three catches for 107 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown. This helped the Packers beat the Denver Broncos 19–13. He finished his first year with 47 catches, 676 yards, and two touchdowns.

In 2009, James was still a key player, though behind veterans Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. He caught 32 passes for 440 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. In the playoffs, he added 3 catches, 50 yards, and 1 touchdown.

In 2010, James 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. James caught 5 passes for 50 yards in their 31–25 victory.

After the 2010 season, James became a free agent. Many thought he would leave for another team. But he signed a new three-year contract to stay with the Packers. In 2011, he had 38 catches, 635 yards, and scored 7 touchdowns.

In 2012, James 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 touchdowns that year. 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 3 touchdowns. He also set a new personal best with 817 receiving yards. His longest catch was an amazing 83-yard play.

Time with the Oakland Raiders

On March 17, 2014, James signed a three-year contract with 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 on May 5, 2015. This happened after they drafted Amari Cooper and signed Michael Crabtree.

Brief Stint with the New York Giants

On July 30, 2015, James signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants. However, he was released by the Giants on September 5, 2015.

Return to the Green Bay Packers

Just one day after being released by the Giants, James agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Packers. He started the 2015 season strong. In Week 1, he caught two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears in a 31–23 victory. 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. This happened during a cold 34-degree game against the Minnesota Vikings. In June 2016, the NFL added a new rule. It banned players from wearing hooded sweatshirts 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 with 890.

Time with the San Diego Chargers

James signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on August 2, 2016. However, he was released by the Chargers on August 29, 2016.

Retirement from Football

On September 6, 2017, James Jones officially announced his retirement from the NFL.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Postseason Stats

Personal Life and Charity Work

In 2014, after signing with the Oakland Raiders, James Jones and his family moved to San Ramon, California. James is married to Tamika. They met when they were both freshmen at San Jose State University.

James also has a charitable organization called Love Jones 4 Kids. This organization helps by providing money and support to homeless shelters.