History of Jerry Jones in Timeline

Jerry Jones is the billionaire owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, an NFL team. He purchased the team in 1989 and has since been a highly influential, and sometimes controversial, figure in the world of professional football. His leadership has been marked by both success, including Super Bowl victories, and periods of criticism regarding team performance and management decisions. Jones is a prominent personality, actively involved in the Cowboys' operations and often in the public eye.

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. He is now known as the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

1945: Family Move to North Little Rock, Arkansas

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

1957: Witnessing Integration Incident

In 1957, Jerry Jones, then 14, witnessed White students attempting to prevent six African-American students from entering North Little Rock High School during the school's integration.

1960: High School Graduation

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

1961: First Statement of Modern Security Life Insurance Co.

In 1961, Modern Security Life Insurance Co. released its first statement.

1963: Marriage to Eugenia Chambers

In 1963, Jerry Jones married Eugenia Chambers, whom he met as a college undergraduate.

1964: Co-Captained National Championship Football Team

In 1964, Jerry Jones co-captained Arkansas' national championship football team.

1965: Growth of Modern Security Life Insurance Co.

By 1965, the assets of Modern Security Life Insurance Co. had increased significantly.

1965: Borrowed money to open Shakey's Pizza Parlor restaurants

In 1965, after graduating from college, Jerry Jones borrowed a million dollars 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.

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 Jones family started Buena Vista Animal Paradise, a tourist attraction with exotic animals.

1987: Bright's Dissatisfaction with Landry

As early as 1987, Jerry Jones' predecessor, Bright, had been dissatisfied with Landry.

1987: Hurricanes win national championship

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

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 soon after fired Tom Landry as coach.

1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys

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

1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys and Coaching Change

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

1989: Cowboys Purchase and League Financial Success

Since Jerry Jones' purchase of the Cowboys in 1989, the franchise has greatly appreciated in value, and much of the NFL's financial success has been credited to Jones.

1992: Super Bowl XXVII Win

In the 1992 season, the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXVII.

1993: Firing of Jimmy Johnson

In 1993, Jerry Jones fired head coach Jimmy Johnson after two consecutive Super Bowl wins due to a conflict over control of personnel decisions.

1995: Super Bowl XXX Win

In the 1995 season, the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX.

1996: Appearance on Coach

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

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1998: Cameo in BASEketball and Dallas: War of the Ewings

In 1998, Jerry Jones was the inspiration for a character in the film BASEketball and had a cameo appearance in the made-for-television movie Dallas: War of the Ewings.

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1998: Establishment of the Preston Road Trophy

Since 1998, Jerry Jones's team and Lamar Hunt's Kansas City Chiefs have played for the Preston Road Trophy, commissioned by Hunt to add a competitive nature to their friendship; Jones and Hunt would play pranks on each other when the trophy changed hands.

October 8, 2003: Named Least-Favorite Sports Personality

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

2003: Hiring of Bill Parcells

In 2003, Jerry Jones hired Bill Parcells as the Cowboys' head coach, initially promising him complete control over football matters.

2006: Parcells' Resignation and Relationship Breakdown

By 2006, the relationship between Jerry Jones and Bill Parcells had broken down after Jones signed controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, leading to Parcells' resignation.

2007: Diet Pepsi MAX Commercial Appearance

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

September 14, 2008: Fine for Criticizing Referee

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

2008: Formation of Legends Hospitality

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

2008: Publication of "Playing to Win"

In 2008, the book "Playing to Win" by David Magee was published, in which Jerry Jones admitted he mishandled Tom Landry's firing and accepted blame for his strained relationship with Jimmy Johnson.

Playing to Win

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2009: 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 on revenue sharing.

2010: Appearance on Entourage

In 2010, Jerry Jones appeared as himself in the seventh season of the HBO series Entourage.

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2010: Diagnosis with Stage 4 Cancer

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

July 4, 2012: Appearance on Dallas

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

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2013: Pepsi Commercial Appearance

In 2013, Jerry Jones appeared in a Pepsi commercial where he entered an elevator with New York Giants fans.

2013: Narration of Documentary Film

In 2013, Jerry Jones narrated a documentary film on former teammate and business partner Jim Lindsey.

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 Rams Relocation

In 2016, Jerry Jones became involved in the St. Louis Rams' move back to Los Angeles, helping broker a deal to ensure the SoFi Stadium plan passed.

2017: Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

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

2020: Jimmy Johnson's Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction

In 2020, Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

February 2021: Texas Freeze and Criticism of Comstock Resources

In February 2021, during the Great Texas Freeze, Jerry Jones and his company, Comstock Resources Inc., faced criticism for raising natural gas prices significantly.

March 2022: Legal Action Regarding Paternity Claim

In March 2022, Jerry Jones was served with legal action by a 25-year-old woman claiming to be his biological daughter, with Jones having paid nearly $3 million previously to the woman and her mother.

November 2022: Photo Surfaces Depicting Racial Integration Incident

In November 2022, a 1957 photo surfaced showing a 14-year-old Jerry Jones witnessing White students preventing African-American students from entering North Little Rock High School during integration; Jones expressed regret for not doing more to help the Black students.

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

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

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: Paternity Test Required, Countersuit Filed and Dropped

On February 29, 2024, a court decision required Jerry Jones to undergo a paternity test and Jones filed a countersuit for breach of settlement agreement, which was later dropped when the woman dismissed pending lawsuits.

November 2024: Net Worth and Team Valuation

As of November 2024, Forbes reported Jerry Jones' net worth to be $16.1 billion, with the Cowboys valued at $10.1 billion as the world's most valuable sports team.