Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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where have you gone? places. It was a test for us, and we "Playing at Notre Dame you are the passed with flying colors." top target," Jones said of his college On that crisp evening in Pittsburgh, career. "Everyone wants to beat Notre Jones rushed 24 times for a school- Dame. You either love Notre Dame record 262 yards and two touchdowns, or you hate them, but either way you and the underdog know who they Irish knocked off are. Pittsburgh 20-14. "Just having that The game marked spotlight on me as a turning point a player from the for Jones, who reage of 17 when I corded two more first went there, 200-yard rushing you get used to it performances (his and it doesn't faze total of three is still you. You're prea school record), pared for anything against Navy and the NFL or anyStanford, to finish one else throws at with 1,268 yards you." and 10 touchJones said he still downs for the seagets together with son. former teammates "The offensive to watch the Irish line was coming During his seven-year NFL career with the Dallas on Saturdays and together, and those Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans added that he has guys made it pretty Saints, Jones rushed for 5,068 yards and 22 "broken a lot of easy for me," Jones touchdowns. things in my house photo courtesy seattle seahawks said. "The holes the past couple were phenomenal. I still show my years" watching Notre Dame. kids [tape of] daddy playing football. "There's not one Notre Dame I don't put on NFL games, I put on player that doesn't watch Notre Dame college games. That's one experience games," Jones said. "We get together, that I'm proud of and I'll never forget a couple teammates of mine, and we for the rest of my life." sometimes go out to the games. We're After graduating from Notre Dame, all extremely proud." Jones played seven seasons in the These days, the Big Stone Gap, Va., NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle native is living in South Florida with Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. his family and is involved with investHis last action came at New Orleans ments he's made over the years. He's in 2010 and, although he hasn't "of- enjoying the sunshine and living a life ficially" retired, he said his football without regrets, but with a return that playing career is mostly finished. will always make him proud. ✦