Marvin Jones (linebacker)

Marvin Maurice Jones (born June 28, 1972) is a former American college and professional football player who was a middle linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons during the 1990s and early 2000s. Jones played college football for Florida State University (FSU), and was recognized as an All-American twice. He was drafted in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, and he played his entire pro career for the Jets.

Early years
Jones was born in Miami, Florida. He graduated from Miami Northwestern High School, where he played high school football for the Northwestern Bulls.

College career
While attending Florida State University, Jones played for coach Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles football team from 1990 to 1992. The Seminoles finished 10–2 in 1991 and 11–1 in 1992, winning the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship both years. Jones was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in both 1991 and 1992, and was honored by Sporting News as its College Football Player of the Year in 1992. He decided to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. The Seminoles inducted him into the FSU Hall of Fame in 2000.

Professional career
The New York Jets selected Jones in the first round, fourth overall pick, of the 1993 NFL Draft, and he played for the Jets from 1993 to 2003. Nicknamed "Shade Tree" by his teammates, Jones recorded a career high 135 tackles and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2000. In eleven seasons, Jones played in 142 NFL regular season games, started 129 of them, and compiled 1,021 tackles, nine sacks, five interceptions for 42 yards, 31 pass deflections, ten forced fumbles, and eight fumble recoveries.

Jones signed a one-day contract with the Jets to retire following the 2004 season.

Life after football
Jones started the Marvin Jones Charitable Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting and motivating youth towards success by engaging them in positive experiences through academics, community involvement and sports.

Jones holds an B.S in Psychology from Florida State University, an A.S. from Charter Oak State College, and diplomas in counseling and herbal medicine from the Institute of Natural Healing. He lives in Fort Myers, Florida.