Photo credit: packersnews.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State Spartans inducted former Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones to the San Jose Spartan Athletics Hall of Fame during halftime of their 2018 Homecoming Game versus the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors inside CEFCU Stadium.

Of course, Jones was honored to be inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, but there’s more to the 34-year-old than you’d think and I’m not only saying because I’m a longtime Packers fan. Jones was born and raised in San Jose, Calif. to a poverty-stricken family. Jones lived in many homeless shelters with his mother before he lived with his paternal grandmother during his high school years at Gunderson High School, where he played three sports: basketball, track and field, and football. Jones later earned the quarterback MVP honors in his senior year at GHS.

Unlike some other football prospects, Jones chose to stay close to home and fine-tuned his existing skills at San Jose State University with the much-needed help of wide-out coach Keith “K-Dub” Williams. Jones played college football at SJSU for three years before entering the 2007 NFL Draft, where he was drafted 78th overall by the Packers in the third round. Jones had two stints with the Green and Gold–one from 2007-2013 and the other in 2015. Jones seized a Super Bowl XLV championship ring following the Packers’ 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6, 2011.

Jones announced his retirement on September 6, 2017. After that, Jones became a NFL Network analyst.

Jones posted pretty good statistics in both stints with the Green and Gold. In the regular season, Jones had 45 touchdowns, 5195 yards and 360 receiving yards in 120 games and 62 games started. In the postseason, Jones had four touchdowns, 491 yards and 35 receiving yards in 13 games and six games started.