Ed "Too Tall" Jones, a towering presence on the gridiron, remains an indelible figure in the lore of the Dallas Cowboys. A key member of the team that clinched Super Bowl XII, Jones carved out a 15-year career marked by relentless pursuit and remarkable achievements. Accumulating an impressive 106 sacks, Jones etched his name among the greats as a former All-Pro defensive end.
Reflecting on his storied career, Jones highlights the importance of veteran presence 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. This insight is anchored in his own experiences and the pivotal moments that defined the Cowboys in their heyday.
The Cowboys' last Super Bowl appearance dates back to January 1996, a period when the team, under coach Jimmy Johnson, made strategic moves that paid significant dividends. One such move was the acquisition of Charles Haley, a seasoned player with two rings from his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers. Haley’s presence catalyzed a transformation, enabling the Cowboys to secure their first of three Super Bowl titles within a four-year span.
Jones stresses the critical role of experienced players in driving teams to excel in high-stakes games. “What separates good players and good teams is teams who have players who can go to another level in big games. 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,” he explains, emphasizing the intangible benefits a seasoned player brings to a playoff-bound squad.
However, Jones points out that talent alone does not guarantee postseason triumphs. The Cowboys, despite their regular-season successes, often struggle in the playoffs. “That is definitely one of the things. 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,” notes Jones.
For Jones, the absence of such leadership is a clear deficit for the Cowboys and other teams. “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,” he adds, highlighting the broader implications of having seasoned veterans within a team.
Drawing from his own experiences against formidable opponents, Jones recounts the value of veteran presence, even in closely contested games. “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,” Jones reflects.
Life after football has introduced new challenges for Jones, but his resilience and partnerships have continued to define his journey. Partnering with Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid, Jones credits it for significantly improving 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,” he shares.
Jones also reflects on the unique pressures that came with being part of the Cowboys, often hailed as "America's Team." “That America's Team thing made us bulletin board material... Well, we were a target every time we stepped on the field. … We got a team's best. Picture having to deal with that every Sunday. That’s not easy,” he recalls, underlining the heightened expectations and adversities faced by the team.
Ed "Too Tall" Jones' insights and experiences provide invaluable lessons on the importance of veteran leadership, resilience, and the indomitable spirit required to excel at the highest levels of professional football. His legacy, both on and off the field, continues to inspire and inform the next generation of athletes.