/10. The Legend Returns: Why Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones’ Hall of Fame Nomination Is More Than Just Football — It’s Justice, 40 Years in the Making
The Giant Who Changed the Game
Before freak athletes became the norm — before Myles Garrett, before J.J. Watt — there was Ed “Too Tall” Jones. Standing 6’9”, the man looked like a skyscraper in shoulder pads, a defensive end who made quarterbacks quake just by lining up across from them.
And now, after years of waiting, the Dallas Cowboys icon has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
For fans who remember the golden days of “America’s Team,” this isn’t just long overdue — it’s poetic.
Too Tall for Football, Perfect for History
When the Cowboys drafted Ed Jones No. 1 overall in 1974, scouts weren’t sure what to make of him.
A 6-foot-9 player? At defensive end? Many thought it was a gimmick.
But it didn’t take long for Jones to prove them wrong.
From the moment he stepped onto the field, he owned it — long arms, impossible reach, terrifying presence. Offensive linemen didn’t block him; they just hoped to survive him.
By the late 1970s, “Too Tall” wasn’t just a nickname — it was a warning.
And by the time he retired in 1989, he’d left behind a legacy that still echoes through the halls of AT&T Stadium.
The Stats Tell One Story — The Film Tells Another
Let’s put the numbers in perspective:
- 15 NFL seasons, all with the Cowboys.
- Over 100 career sacks (though sacks weren’t officially recorded until 1982).
- 3 Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XII, where Dallas reigned supreme.
- 3-time Pro Bowler, All-Pro, and a defensive force who anchored one of the most feared front lines in football.
But if you only look at stats, you miss the magic.
Because Ed “Too Tall” Jones wasn’t just productive — he was transformative.
His height changed how quarterbacks threw. He batted down passes before it became an official defensive stat. He forced coaches to re-think offensive line leverage. He made the defensive end position evolve.
Every long, athletic pass rusher you see today? That lineage starts with him.
Leaving Football — And Coming Back Stronger
And here’s where the story gets cinematic.
In 1979, at the peak of his career, Ed Jones did the unthinkable — he walked away from football to pursue professional boxing.
Critics laughed. Fans were confused. Cowboys coach Tom Landry was shocked.
But Jones didn’t care.
He trained, fought, and won six consecutive professional boxing matches — all by decision — before returning to the Cowboys in 1980.
And when he came back, he was better.
Stronger. Quicker. Hungrier.
It was the kind of move only a legend could pull off — stepping away from one sport, conquering another, then coming back to dominate again.
Who does that?
Only “Too Tall.”
More Than an Athlete — A Symbol of the Cowboys’ Golden Era
The 1970s and 1980s Dallas Cowboys were more than a team; they were a culture.
America’s Team. The blue star that became a global icon.
And at the heart of it — towering above it, literally — was Ed Jones.
He was the bridge between the old-school grit of the 70s and the flash of the 80s. Between Roger Staubach’s quiet leadership and Tony Dorsett’s breakaway brilliance.
He wasn’t always the loudest guy in the room. But when the huddle broke and helmets clashed, he was the presence everyone felt.
Ask anyone who played against him — he was impossible to forget.
So Why Did It Take This Long?
It’s the question Cowboys Nation has been asking for decades:
How is Ed “Too Tall” Jones not already in the Hall of Fame?
Some say it’s because he played alongside other legends — Randy White, Harvey Martin, Too Mean Too Talented. Others say his quiet demeanor off the field kept him out of the spotlight.
But if you look closer, you see something deeper.
Jones played in an era before advanced stats, before the media hype machine, before social media turned athletes into brands.
He just played football — and he did it better than almost anyone alive.
The Modern NFL Owes Him Everything
Every batted pass by Calais Campbell.
Every towering defensive end disrupting sightlines.
Every 6’6” freak athlete drafted in the first round.
That’s Ed Jones’ DNA.
He didn’t just play the position — he reshaped it.
When you watch Micah Parsons terrorize quarterbacks today, that relentless energy, that physical dominance — that’s a legacy too tall to ignore.
Cowboys Fans Are Making Noise Again
The moment news broke of his nomination, social media exploded.
Cowboys fans across generations — from those who watched him in the 70s to kids who know him only from highlights — united under one message:
“It’s about time.”
On X (Twitter), one fan wrote:
“If Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones doesn’t make the Hall of Fame this time, we riot in Arlington.”
Another added:
“He was breaking up passes before it was even a stat. He invented the art of disruption.”
And they’re right. This isn’t just nostalgia — it’s recognition overdue by decades.
The Legacy Beyond the Field
What’s even more impressive is what Jones did after football.
He became a mentor, a businessman, a community leader. He stayed connected to the Cowboys, representing the franchise with class and charisma.
No scandals. No controversies. Just consistency — the same kind that defined his career.
And in an era when athletes fade into obscurity after retirement, Jones remained visible, respected, and admired.
This Isn’t Just a Nomination — It’s Redemption
If you love football, you understand that the Hall of Fame isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about impact.
It’s about legacy.
It’s about those who made the game what it is today.
And by every measure — physical, cultural, historical — Ed “Too Tall” Jones belongs in Canton.
For too long, he’s been the overlooked cornerstone of one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties.
Now, the spotlight is back where it belongs — on the man who towered over an entire generation of football.
Final Thoughts: The Hall Needs Him More Than He Needs the Hall
Maybe that’s the beauty of Ed Jones’ story.
He doesn’t need validation. His place in football history is already cemented.
But the Hall of Fame? It needs him.
It needs a reminder of what greatness looked like before hashtags and highlight reels.
It needs the quiet giants — the ones who let their play do the talking.
Because if there’s one truth in football, it’s this:
Legends don’t age. They just wait for the world to catch up.
And now, finally, the world has.
Congratulations, Ed “Too Tall” Jones — your Hall of Fame moment is long overdue. 🏆⭐
