In the pantheon of NFL legends, few stand as tall—literally and figuratively—as Ed "Too Tall" Jones. A centerpiece of the Dallas Cowboys' defensive lineup during their victory in Super Bowl XII, Jones amassed an impressive 106 sacks over his 15-year career, cementing his place as one of the league's formidable forces. A former All-Pro defensive end, Jones' insights into the dynamics of championship-level play carry notable weight.
Jones is clear about the critical role that seasoned players play in achieving postseason success. Reflecting on current playoff contenders, he remarked, “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.” This observation underscores a crucial, often overlooked aspect of team-building: the intangible yet invaluable experience of having been there before.
The Dallas Cowboys have not appeared in a Super Bowl since January 1996. During the '90s, under coach Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys made a pivotal trade that brought Charles Haley into the fold. Haley, who had already won two rings with the San Francisco 49ers, played a significant role in Dallas securing three Super Bowl titles in four years following his arrival. Jones emphasizes the impact of incorporating veterans like Haley, noting, “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.”
Indeed, the influence of veteran leadership permeates Jones' philosophy on team success. He believes that while coaches provide strategic direction, it's the internal leadership—the voice of experience within the locker room—that propels a team over the top. “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.” For Jones, the presence of such figures is a game-changer, something he feels the current Cowboys roster sorely lacks. “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.”
Experience in big games, according to Jones, cannot be overstated. He pointed to the Pittsburgh teams that bested the Cowboys in '75 and '78, attributing their narrow victories to their abundance of veteran talent. “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 also shared his thoughts on the unique pressures of playing for "America's Team." The spotlight that came with such an illustrious moniker brought additional challenges. “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.”
In his post-football life, Jones has partnered with Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid that has had a transformative impact on his mobility and quality of life. Reflecting on this partnership, Jones states, “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.” This evolution from gridiron warrior to advocate for wellbeing showcases Jones' resilience and adaptability, characteristics that undoubtedly contributed to his storied career.
Ed "Too Tall" Jones remains a towering figure in NFL history, not just for his physical stature, but for his enduring insights into what makes a team great. His reflections serve as a testament to the lasting impact of veteran leadership and the intrinsic value of experience in the pursuit of championship glory.