A member of the Denver Broncos’ back-to-back Super Bowl winning teams has passed away.
Tony Jones, a key cog on a great offensive line for the Broncos in the late 1990s passed away on Friday at the age of 54.
Jones came to the Broncos in 1997 and spent four seasons with the team at right tackle, playing on arguably the best offensive line the team ever had along with Gary Zimmerman, Mark Schlereth, Brian Habib and Tom Nalen. He helped the Broncos win Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII.
Undrafted out of Western Carolina in 1988 by the Cleveland Browns, Jones spent eight seasons there before moving with the team to Baltimore in 1996. He made the Pro Bowl following the 1998 season.
As part of the NFL’s 100th season, fans helped create a Top 100 All-Time Team for the Broncos and Jones made that list. He was one of 16 offensive linemen to earn the honor.
In speaking to Mike Klis of 9News, former Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith had this to say:
"“Bone played wherever he had to play. He was just a great dude. Always the life of the party. He was the best dresser on the team; he always had a coordinated suit. He was just a great teammate and all the fellas are really hurt by it. Just trying to make sure we all keep up with each other right now.”"
Jones was signed in 1997 and became the starting right tackle, replacing Broderick Thompson who was in that spot for the two seasons prior to that. Jones held his own every time he was out there, but he really stepped up in Super Bowl XXXII against the Green Bay Packers, where he held Reggie White, probably the best defensive lineman in NFL history, without a sack.
Jones will be missed by the Broncos family which has recently lost Floyd Little and Paul Howard as well. We thank Jones for his contributions to the team and send our condolences to his family and friends.