History of Jerry Jones in Timeline

Jerry Jones is the billionaire owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys since 1989. He purchased the NFL team and has been a prominent figure in its operations and management since.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 13, 1942: Jerry Jones was born

On October 13, 1942, Jerral Wayne Jones Sr. was born. He later became the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

1945: Family moved to North Little Rock

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

1957: Witnessing School Integration Incident

In 1957, a 14-year-old Jerry Jones witnessed an argument where White students attempted to prevent six African-American students from entering North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. He stated that he was there as a curious bystander.

1960: Graduation from North Little Rock High School

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

1961: First statement of Modern Security Life Insurance Co.

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

1963: Marriage to Eugenia Chambers

In 1963, Jerry Jones married Eugenia Chambers, whom he met while they were both college undergraduates.

1964: Co-captaining national championship football team

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

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

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

1965: Assets increase for Modern Security Life Insurance Co.

In 1965, the assets of Modern Security Life Insurance Co. increased.

1966: Attempted to purchase the 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 his master's degree in business

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

1971: Creation of Buena Vista Animal Paradise

In 1971, the Jones family carved out 400 acres of their ranch to start Buena Vista Animal Paradise.

1987: Bright wanted to fire Landry

As early as 1987, Jones' predecessor, Bright, had wanted to fire Landry, but was told there wasn't a suitable replacement available.

1987: Jimmy Johnson led the Miami Hurricanes to a national championship

In 1987, Jimmy Johnson, whom Jones would later hire to coach the Cowboys, led the University of Miami Hurricanes to a national championship.

February 25, 1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys and Firing of Tom Landry

On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million and subsequently fired longtime coach Tom Landry, replacing him with Jimmy Johnson.

1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys

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

1989: Bright claimed to be losing money on the franchise

In 1989, at the time of the sale to Jerry Jones, H.R. "Bum" Bright claimed to be losing $1 million per month on the Dallas Cowboys franchise.

1992: Super Bowl XXVII win

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

1993: Ousting of Jimmy Johnson

Following two consecutive Super Bowl wins, Jones ousted Jimmy Johnson after the 1993 season due to a conflict over who was responsible for building the Super Bowl-winning teams.

1995: Super Bowl XXX win

In the 1995 season, the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX under Barry Switzer's leadership, after Jones had replaced Jimmy Johnson.

1996: Appearance on the television show Coach

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

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

In 1998, Jerry Jones was the inspiration for a character in the film BASEketball and made a cameo appearance in the television 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 by Sports Illustrated in three states.

2003: Bill Parcells hired as Cowboys head coach

In 2003, Bill Parcells became the head coach of the Cowboys.

2006: End of Bill Parcells' tenure

In 2006, Bill Parcells' tenure as the Cowboys head coach ended.

2007: Diet Pepsi MAX Commercial

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.

2008: Formation of Legends Hospitality

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

2008: Publication of "Playing to Win"

In 2008, the book "Playing to Win" by David Magee, about Jerry Jones, was published. Jones admitted in the book that he handled the firing of Landry poorly and accepted some blame for his broken relationship with Johnson.

Playing to Win

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2009: NFL Fine for Violating Gag Order on Labor Issues

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."

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: Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer

In 2010, Jerry Jones was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This was revealed 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 three men wearing New York Giants apparel.

2013: Narration of Jim Lindsey Documentary

In 2013, Jerry Jones narrated a documentary film on his 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 the St. Louis Rams' move back to Los Angeles

In 2016, Jerry Jones was involved in the St. Louis Rams' move back to Los Angeles, helping to broker a deal between Kroenke, Spanos, and Davis 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: Johnson inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

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

2020: 32nd season as Cowboys owner

The 2020 NFL season marked Jerry Jones' 32nd year as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, surpassing the combined tenures of his predecessors.

February 2021: Criticism for high natural gas prices during Texas Freeze

In February 2021, during the Great Texas Freeze, Jerry Jones and his company Comstock Resources Inc. faced criticism for raising natural gas prices over 70 times the normal rates and celebrating profits from the storm.

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. It was also revealed that he paid nearly $3 million to the woman and her mother in the past.

November 2022: Photo Surfaces Depicting School Integration Incident

In November 2022, a 1957 photo surfaced showing a 14-year-old Jerry Jones witnessing an argument during the integration of North Little Rock High School. Jones expressed regret in not doing more to help Black students feel accepted.

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

On December 30, 2023, Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor, after Jones had initially refused to do so for 30 years, and after Johnson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.