Johnnie Henry Jones (born June 30, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Though drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 1985, injuries prevented him from playing in the National Football League (NFL). He joined Hamilton in 1987, when he was nominated for the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award. In 1990, he played for the Albany Firebirds in the Arena Football League (AFL).
Jones played college football at the University of Tennessee from 1981 to 1984, setting school records for career rushing yards, most rushing yards in a season, and most rushing yards in a game. He was named a second-team All American by the Associated Press in 1984.
Early life
Jones attended Munford High School in Munford, Tennessee, where he rushed for 4,547 yards and 47 touchdowns during his high school career. During his senior year, he ran for 2,157 yards and 24 touchdowns, and was named West Tennessee Offensive Player of the Year by the Jackson Sun. He was a consensus All-State running back and All-South honorable mention. He was ranked the number eight recruit in the state by the Knoxville News Sentinel and the number two running back by the Knoxville Journal.
Jones is one of three Munford High School athletes, along with baseball pitcher Aaron Fultz and volleyball star Scarlet Gable, to have his number retired.
College
Jones signed with Tennessee in a class that included Alan Cockrell, Reggie McKenzie, Raleigh McKenzie, Carl Zander and Alvin Toles. He played only sparingly during his freshman year in 1981, rushing for 25 yards on 4 carries as a backup to veteran running back James Berry. Jones rushed for 341 yards on 57 attempts for the junior varsity squad.
During his sophomore season in 1982, Jones emerged from spring practice the starter, but split playing time with juniors Chuck Coleman and Randall Morris. He finished the season with 421 yards and 4 touchdowns on 93 carries. He rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries in the Vols' 31–21 loss to Georgia Tech on October 23, and was named the team's "Offensive Player of the Week." His 42-yard touchdown run against Vanderbilt was the 1982 team's longest run.
1983 season
Jones entered the 1983 season again competing with Coleman for playing time, though Morris had moved to fullback. Jones injured his ankle in the opener against Pittsburgh, and played only sparingly against New Mexico and Auburn. While cutting wood with his father on the Sunday following the Auburn game, Jones suggested he was going to quit the team, but his father convinced him to keep playing. Six days later, with his family watching from the stands, he erupted for 148 yards on 20 attempts, including a 41-yard touchdown, in Tennessee's blowout win over The Citadel.
Perhaps the most memorable play of Jones' career came in Tennessee's game against rival Alabama, which took place at Legion Field on October 15. After rallying from a 10-point deficit to tie the game at 34, Tennessee had regained possession with just over three minutes to play. On a 3rd-down play, Jones took a pitch from Alan Cockrell, dodged several defenders, and raced 66 yards to the end zone to score what would prove to be the winning touchdown. He finished the game with 112 rushing yards.
After missing the Georgia Tech game with an injury, Jones returned for a record-breaking performance on October 29 against Rutgers, rushing for 234 yards on 41 attempts. In spite of this performance, Tennessee managed just one touchdown, winning 7–0. Jones' 234 yards broke the school's single-game rushing record of 201 yards, set by Stanley Morgan against Hawaii in 1975, and his 41 attempts broke the school's single-game record of 35, set by Hubert Simpson against Kentucky in 1979.
Jones broke his own rushing record in Tennessee's 34–24 win over Vanderbilt on November 26 at Neyland Stadium, running for 248 yards. On the second play of the 4th quarter, after Vanderbilt had seized the momentum and had taken a 24–20 lead, Jones broke through the Commodore defense and raced 70 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. He also had a 41-yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter. He was named "Player of the Week" by the Associated Press for his efforts.
In Tennessee's wild 30–23 victory over Maryland in the 1983 Florida Citrus Bowl, Jones rushed for 154 yards on 29 carries, and scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter. He received the game's Most Valuable Player award.