Mike Jones (linebacker) facts for kids
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
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| Born: | April 15, 1969 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||||||
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| High school: | Southwest (Kansas City) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Missouri | ||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1991 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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Michael Anthony Jones (born April 15, 1969) is an American football coach and former player. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. A linebacker is a defensive player who lines up behind the defensive line. Mike Jones played for teams like the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is most famous for making a game-winning tackle in Super Bowl XXXIV. This play is often called "The Tackle".
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College Football Days
Mike Jones went to the University of Missouri from 1987 to 1990. There, he played as a running back, which is an offensive player who runs with the ball. He set a school record for the most times a running back caught the ball, with 72 catches during his college career.
Playing in the NFL
Mike Jones was not chosen in the main 1991 NFL draft when players are picked by teams. However, he signed with the Raiders as a new player who was not drafted. He then changed his position from running back to linebacker.
First Time with the Raiders
Between his first and second years with the Raiders, Mike Jones played for the Sacramento Surge. This team was part of the World League of American Football. He was the main middle linebacker for the Surge team that won the World Bowl II championship in 1992. He was the top tackler for the Raiders in both the 1995 and 1996 seasons.
Time with the St. Louis Rams
Mike Jones is best known for a play he made during the last moments of Super Bowl XXXIV. This play is called "The Tackle". He stopped Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson right at the one-yard line. This tackle saved the game and helped the Rams win the Super Bowl!
During the 1999 season, he made one quarterback sack (tackling the opposing team's quarterback) and caught four interceptions (catching a pass meant for an opposing player). He returned these for 96 yards and scored two touchdowns. He also recovered two fumbles (when a player drops the ball), returning one for a touchdown. After the 2000 season, the Rams released him.
His famous tackle was even recognized by NFL Top 10 as one of the "Top Ten One Shot Wonders."
Playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Jones joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on April 22, 2001.
Second Time with the Raiders
Mike Jones played his final season with the Raiders. He ended his 12-year playing career with impressive stats. He had nine sacks, eight interceptions, and five fumble recoveries. He also scored four touchdowns in his 183 games.
Coaching Career
After he stopped playing football, Mike Jones became a coach. He coached high school football for six seasons at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He led the team to win a state championship as their head coach in 2008.
In 2010, he coached the linebackers at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He then became the head football coach at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. More recently, Mike Jones has been the head coach at St. Louis University High School.
