Ed "Too Tall" Jones: The Veteran Voice the Cowboys Heard Loud and Clear
Ed "Too Tall" Jones, an emblematic figure for the Dallas Cowboys and a crucial player in their Super Bowl XII victory, has always stood out—both literally and figuratively. Towering at 6'9", Jones amassed an impressive 106 sacks over his 15-year career and earned recognition as an All-Pro defensive end.
Reflecting on his career and the current state of the NFL, Jones emphasizes the unique role veteran players play in advancing their teams to 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,” says Jones.
Jones' insight is steeped in years of top-tier football experience. He asserts, “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.”
The Dallas Cowboys themselves can attest to the importance of seasoned leadership. Under coach Jimmy Johnson in the 1990s, a strategic trade brought Charles Haley to the team. Haley, who had already won two Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers, immediately influenced the Cowboys, who clinched their first of three Super Bowl titles in four years soon after his arrival.
A Lack of Veteran Presence
When discussing the recent struggles of his beloved Cowboys and other playoff-hopeful teams, Jones doesn’t hold back. “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,” Jones explains.
Internal Leadership and Chemistry
Jones believes that leadership extends beyond the appointed captains and includes those who bring invaluable postseason experience. “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. 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,” adds Jones.
Reflecting on past Super Bowl encounters, Jones recalls the difference veteran presence made. “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.”
Adapting to Modern Challenges
Jones' wisdom also comes from his willingness to adapt and overcome personal challenges. In recent years, he’s turned to Sportcane, a newly designed walking aid, to improve his mobility and quality of life. “America's Team” status put the Cowboys under a microscope, magnifying every challenge they faced and making lessons learned crucial ones. “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,” Jones reminisces.
The former All-Pro defensive end speaks highly of his decision to partner with Sportcane. “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 credits.
Jones' journey—from being a cornerstone of the 1970s Cowboys to becoming an advocate for veteran presence in modern teams and adopting tools to maintain his active lifestyle—paints a rich picture of dedication, adaptability, and resilience. His words ring loudly across locker rooms and executive offices, reinforcing that while skill and coaching are essential, the experience and leadership of seasoned champions can often be the difference between playing in the postseason and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.