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 and often controversial figure in the league 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., the future owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, was born.

1945: Family Move to North Little Rock

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

1957: Witnessing School Integration Incident

In 1957, Jerry Jones, as a 14-year-old, witnessed an argument during the integration of North Little Rock High School in Arkansas, where White students tried to prevent six African-American students from entering the school.

1960: High School Graduation

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

1961: Modern Security Life Insurance Co First Statement

In 1961, Modern Security Life Insurance Co, where Jerry Jones' father was chairman, had 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 they were both undergraduates in college.

1964: Co-Captaining National Championship Team

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

1964: Co-captain of Arkansas' National Championship Football Team

In 1964, Jerry Jones was a co-captain of Arkansas' national championship football team.

1965: Increase in Assets of Modern Security Life Insurance Co

By 1965, Modern Security Life Insurance Co saw its assets increase to $6,230,607.

1965: Post-graduation Business Ventures

In 1965, after graduating from college, Jerry Jones borrowed money to open Shakey's Pizza Parlor restaurants.

1966: Attempt to Purchase San Diego Chargers

In 1966, Jerry Jones attempted to purchase the American Football League's San Diego Chargers.

1970: Obtaining Master's Degree

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

1971: Establishment of Buena Vista Animal Paradise

In 1971, after selling the insurance company, the Joneses established Buena Vista Animal Paradise, a tourist attraction featuring exotic animals.

1987: Bright's Dissatisfaction with Landry

As early as 1987, Jones' predecessor, Bright, was dissatisfied with Landry and offered to relieve Jones of the inevitable criticism by dismissing the longtime coach himself prior to selling the team.

1987: Jimmy Johnson Led Miami Hurricanes to National Championship

In 1987, Jimmy Johnson led the University of Miami Hurricanes to a national championship prior to being hired as coach for the Cowboys in 1989.

February 25, 1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys

On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys and subsequently fired Tom Landry and hired Jimmy Johnson.

1989: Purchase of the Dallas Cowboys

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

1989: Purchase of Cowboys and Coaching Changes

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

1989: Start of Tenure and Financial Success

Starting in 1989, Jerry Jones' tenure as owner led to the Cowboys' appreciation in value, making him a billionaire and contributing to the NFL's financial success.

1992: Super Bowl XXVII Victory

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

1993: Ousting of Jimmy Johnson

In 1993, Jerry Jones ousted Jimmy Johnson after two consecutive Super Bowl wins due to conflict over personnel decisions.

1995: Super Bowl XXX Victory

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: Inspiration for BASEketball Character and Cameo Appearance

In 1998, Jerry Jones was the inspiration for the character Baxter Cain in the film BASEketball and had a cameo appearance in 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 multiple states.

2003: Bill Parcells Hired

In 2003, Bill Parcells was hired as the Cowboys' head coach.

2006: Parcells' Tenure Ends

In 2006, Bill Parcells' tenure as the Cowboys' head coach came to an end.

2007: Diet Pepsi MAX Commercial

In 2007, Jerry Jones appeared in a television commercial for Diet Pepsi MAX.

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.

2008: Partnership to Create Legends Hospitality

In 2008, Jerry Jones formed a partnership with Yankee Global Enterprises to create Legends Hospitality.

2008: "Playing to Win" Book Release

In 2008, the book "Playing to Win" by David Magee about Jerry Jones was released. Jerry Jones admitted he handled the firing of Landry poorly and accepted some blame for the disintegration of his relationship with Landry's successor, 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.

2010: Appearance on Entourage

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

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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.

2013: Narration of Jim Lindsey Documentary

In 2013, Jerry Jones narrated a documentary film on 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 St. Louis Rams Move

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

2017: Induction into 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 year as owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

March 2022: Legal Action Regarding Paternity

In March 2022, Jerry Jones faced legal action from a 25-year-old woman claiming he is her biological father. She is the daughter of a former airline employee whom Jones met in Little Rock, Arkansas.

November 2022: Photo Surfaces Depicting 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 in Arkansas.

November 19, 2023: Announcement of Johnson's Induction into Cowboys Ring of Honor

On November 19, 2023, Jerry Jones announced that Jimmy Johnson would be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

2023: Mending Relations with Jimmy Johnson

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

2023: Value of Cowboys in 2023

In 2023, the $140 million spent to purchase the Cowboys in 1989 would be equivalent to $300 million.

February 29, 2024: Court Decision on Paternity Test

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

November 2024: Net Worth and Cowboys Valuation

As of November 2024, Forbes reported Jerry Jones' net worth to be $16.1 billion, largely attributed to his ownership stake in the Dallas Cowboys, valued at $10.1 billion as the world's most valuable sports team.

2024: Asset Value in 2024 Dollars

In 2024, the 1961 assets of Modern Security Life Insurance Co of $440,299.76 would be worth $4,643,041.96 and the 1965 assets of $6,230,607 would be worth $62,365,606.91.