Mike Jones (linebacker)

Michael Anthony Jones (born April 15, 1969, in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American football coach and former player in the National Football League (NFL). During his twelve-year NFL career he played linebacker for three teams: the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jones attended college at the University of Missouri, where he originally played as a running back. He was converted to the linebacker position when he signed with the Raiders as a rookie free agent. Between his rookie and second seasons as a Raider, he played for the Sacramento Surge of the World League of American Football. He was the starting middle linebacker for that 1992 Surge team that won World Bowl II.

He is well known for his actions during the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV, known as The Tackle, when he tackled then-Titans receiver Kevin Dyson at the one-yard line to preserve a Rams victory. He also had a superb performance during the regular season that year, recording 1 sack and 4 interceptions, which he returned for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also recovered 2 fumbles, returning them for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Jones finished his 12 seasons with 9 sacks, 8 interceptions, 132 return yards, 5 fumble recoveries, 94 return yards, and 4 touchdowns (2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries) in 183 games.

After retiring as a player, Jones spent six seasons coaching high school football at Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He led the team to a state title as the head coach in 2008. In 2010, he coached the linebackers at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is currently the head football coach at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Jones was also on NFL Top 10 for Top Ten One Shot Wonders as #10.