History of Jerry Jones in Timeline

Jerry Jones is an American billionaire businessman, best known as the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He purchased the team in 1989 and has been a prominent figure in the NFL ever since.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 13, 1942: Jerry Jones' Birth

On October 13, 1942, Jerral Wayne Jones Sr. was born.

1945: Family Move to North Little Rock, Arkansas

In 1945, Jerry Jones' family moved back to North Little Rock, Arkansas.

1960: Graduation from North Little Rock High School

In 1960, Jerry Jones graduated from North Little Rock High School, where he played as a running back.

1961: Modern Security Life Insurance Co.'s First Statement

In 1961, Modern Security Life Insurance Co., where Jerry Jones' father was president and chairman, issued its first statement, showing assets of $440,299.76.

1963: Marriage to Eugenia Chambers

In 1963, Jerry Jones married Eugenia Chambers, whom he met while both were college undergraduates. They have three children together.

1964: Co-captaining National Championship Football Team

In 1964, Jerry Jones co-captained the University of Arkansas national championship football team.

1965: Increase in Assets for Modern Security Life Insurance Co.

By 1965, Modern Security Life Insurance Co.'s assets had increased to $6,230,607.

1965: Borrowed money from Teamsters union to open Shakey's Pizza Parlor

In 1965, after graduating from college, Jerry Jones borrowed a million dollars from Jimmy Hoffa's Teamsters union to open up a string of Shakey's Pizza Parlor restaurants in Missouri.

1966: Attempted Purchase of San Diego Chargers

In 1966, Jerry Jones attempted to purchase the American Football League's San Diego Chargers, again using Teamsters money, but was unsuccessful.

1970: Received Master's Degree in Business

In 1970, Jerry Jones received his master's degree in business.

1971: Establishment of Buena Vista Animal Paradise

In 1971, the Joneses established Buena Vista Animal Paradise after selling the insurance company.

1987: Bright's Dissatisfaction with Landry

As early as 1987, Jones' predecessor, Bright, had been dissatisfied with Landry, only to have general manager Tex Schramm tell him that there wasn't a suitable replacement available.

1987: Miami Hurricanes National Championship

In 1987, Jimmy Johnson led the University of Miami Hurricanes to a national championship, before being hired by Jerry Jones to coach the Cowboys.

February 25, 1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys

On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys from H. R. "Bum" Bright for $140 million and subsequently fired Tom Landry, replacing him with Jimmy Johnson.

1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys

In 1989, Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys team from Bum Bright.

1989: Purchase of Dallas Cowboys and Coaching Changes

In 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys, replaced Tom Landry with Jimmy Johnson as head coach, and assumed the role of general manager.

1992: Super Bowl XXVII Win

In the 1992 season, the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVII under Jerry Jones' ownership.

1995: Super Bowl XXX Win

In the 1995 season, the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX under coach Barry Switzer.

1996: Appearance on "Coach"

In 1996, Jerry Jones appeared as himself in an episode of the television show "Coach".

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1998: Inspiration for Character in BASEketball and Cameo in Dallas Reunion Movie

In 1998, Jerry Jones was the inspiration for the character Baxter Cain in the film BASEketball and made a cameo appearance as himself in the movie Dallas: War of the Ewings.

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October 8, 2003: Named Least-Favorite Sports Personality

On October 8, 2003, Jerry Jones was named the least-favorite sports personality in three states by Sports Illustrated in an online poll.

2007: Television Commercial for Diet Pepsi MAX

In 2007, Jerry Jones appeared in a television commercial for Diet Pepsi MAX with Wade Phillips and Tony Romo.

September 14, 2008: NFL Fine for Criticizing Referee Ed Hochuli

On September 14, 2008, Jerry Jones was fined $25,000 by the NFL for publicly criticizing referee Ed Hochuli after a call made in a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos. This was Jones' first fine by the NFL.

2008: Formation of Legends Hospitality

In 2008, Jerry Jones partnered with Yankee Global Enterprises to create Legends Hospitality, a corporation focusing on food, beverage, merchandise, retail, and stadium operations.

2008: Publication of "Playing to Win" by David Magee

In 2008, the book "Playing to Win" by David Magee, about Jerry Jones, was published, in which Jones admitted to handling Landry's firing poorly.

Playing to Win

Check it on Amazon

2009: NFL Fine for Violating Gag Order

In 2009, Jerry Jones was fined $100,000 by the NFL for violating a gag order on labor issues by commenting that revenue sharing was "on its way out."

July 4, 2012: Appearance on Dallas

On July 4, 2012, Jerry Jones appeared in an episode of the TNT series Dallas titled "Truth and Consequences".

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July 2015: Hip Replacement Surgery

In July 2015, Jerry Jones revealed at a press conference before Cowboys training camp that he had undergone hip replacement surgery.

2016: Involvement in St. Louis Rams Move to Los Angeles

In 2016, Jerry Jones became involved in the St. Louis Rams' move back to Los Angeles with Rams owner Stan Kroenke, helping to broker a deal for the SoFi Stadium plan.

2017: Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 2017, Jerry Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2020: 32nd Season as Cowboys Owner

The 2020 NFL season marked Jerry Jones' 32nd as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

February 2021: Criticism for Price Gouging During Texas Freeze

In February 2021, during the Great Texas Freeze, Jerry Jones and his company, Comstock Resources Inc., were criticized for raising natural gas prices significantly and celebrating profits from the storm.

November 2022: Photo Surfaces Depicting Integration Incident

In November 2022, a 1957 photo surfaced depicting a 14-year-old Jerry Jones witnessing an argument related to the integration of North Little Rock High School.

December 30, 2023: Induction of Jimmy Johnson into Cowboys Ring of Honor

On December 30, 2023, Jerry Jones inducted Jimmy Johnson into the Cowboys Ring of Honor, 30 years after ousting him and following Johnson's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

2023: Induction of Jimmy Johnson into the Cowboys Ring of Honor

In 2023, Jerry Jones mended relations with Jimmy Johnson, inducting him into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

February 29, 2024: Court Orders Paternity Test

On February 29, 2024, a court decision required Jerry Jones to undergo a paternity test concerning a woman's claim that he is her biological father.

November 2024: Net Worth

As of November 2024, Forbes reported Jerry Jones' net worth to be $16.1 billion, with his ownership stake in the Cowboys valued at $10.1 billion.

August 2025: Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis Revealed

In August 2025, Jerry Jones revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2010.

2025: $1 Million Donation to MAGA Inc.

In 2025, Jerry Jones donated $1 million to MAGA Inc., a super PAC that supports Donald Trump.

2025: Fine for Obscene Gesture at Fans

In 2025, Jerry Jones was fined $250,000 for flipping his middle finger at fans during the Cowboys' game against the Jets. He claimed the gesture was inadvertent but did not appeal the fine.