A remarkable chapter in NFL history closes as one of football's earliest offensive innovators takes his final bow at age 99.
According to The New York Times, Dub Jones, the Cleveland Browns' versatile All-Pro player who achieved the rare feat of scoring six touchdowns in a single game, passed away Saturday at his home in Ruston, Louisiana. His son Bert, a former NFL quarterback, confirmed his father's death.
Jones, believed to be the NFL's oldest surviving former player at the time of his death, made his mark during the Browns' dominant era of the late 1940s and 1950s.
His versatility as both a running back and flanker revolutionized offensive gameplay under coach Paul Brown's innovative schemes.
Jones's most memorable performance came on November 25, 1951, when he scored six touchdowns against the Chicago Bears in a 42-21 victory. This extraordinary achievement included four rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores from quarterback Otto Graham.
Only three other players in NFL history have matched this remarkable feat: Ernie Nevers in 1929, Gale Sayers in 1965, and Alvin Kamara in 2020. During this historic game, Jones accumulated 116 rushing yards on nine carries and 80 receiving yards on three catches.
Otto Graham later reflected on the game's final touchdown, sharing:
It was one of the few times I ever disobeyed a Paul Brown call, but I was really glad it happened to a guy like Dub Jones. He was truly a team man who didn't give a darn about records as long as we won.
Born William Augustus Jones on December 29, 1924, in Arcadia, Louisiana, "Dub" carved out an impressive football career that spanned multiple leagues and championships. His journey included playing for LSU, Tulane, and a Navy football team during World War II.
Jones's professional career began with the Miami Seahawks and Brooklyn Dodgers in the All-America Football Conference before joining the Cleveland Browns in 1948. He was part of three NFL championship teams with the Browns in 1950, 1954, and 1955.
His talents earned him Pro Bowl selections in 1951 and 1952, along with first-team All-Pro honors in 1951. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Jones was an imposing target for his era and a key component of the Browns' sophisticated offensive system.
After retiring as a player, Jones remained connected to football as an offensive coach for the Browns from 1963 to 1968. During this period, he worked with legendary players like Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, and Paul Warfield, contributing to the Browns' 1964 NFL championship.
His legacy lives on through his family, including his wife Schumpert, six children, 22 grandchildren, and 38 great-grandchildren. His son Bert continued the family's football tradition, becoming an NFL MVP quarterback in 1976.
The impact of Jones's pioneering career reverberates through NFL history, from his role in the Browns' transition to the NFL to his enduring touchdown record. His passing marks the end of an era that helped shape modern professional football into what it is today.
