History of Jerry Jones in Timeline

Jerry Jones is an American businessman best known as the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He purchased the team in 1989 and has since been a prominent figure in the league. His tenure has been marked by periods of success, controversy, and significant influence on the NFL's business and entertainment aspects.

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 is an American businessman who would later become 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 North Little Rock High School Integration

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. Jones said 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 played as a running back.

1960: High school graduation

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

1961: Assets increase at Modern Security Life Insurance Co.

In 1961, Modern Security Life Insurance Co., where Jerry Jones' father was president and chairman, saw its assets increase.

1963: Marriage to Eugenia Chambers

In 1963, Jerry Jones married Eugenia Chambers, whom he had met while they were both undergraduates in college. The couple went on to have three children together.

1964: Co-captained national championship football 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 co-captain of Arkansas' national championship football team.

1965: Borrowed Money and Opened Shakey's Pizza Parlor restaurants

In 1965, Jerry Jones borrowed money to open a string of Shakey's Pizza Parlor restaurants in Missouri.

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

In 1965, Modern Security Life Insurance Co. assets reached $6,230,607.

1966: Attempt to purchase San Diego Chargers

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

1970: Received 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 started Buena Vista Animal Paradise on 400 acres of their ranch.

1987: Bright wanted to fire Landry

In 1987, Jerry Jones' predecessor, Bum Bright, wanted to fire Tom Landry as early as 1987.

1987: Miami Hurricanes National Championship

In 1987, Jimmy Johnson led the University of Miami Hurricanes to a national championship.

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

On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys and fired 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: Purchase of Dallas Cowboys and Coaching Change

In 1989, Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million and replaced Tom Landry with Jimmy Johnson as head coach.

1989: Bright's Financial Troubles

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

1993: Ousting of Jimmy Johnson

In 1993, Jerry Jones ousted Jimmy Johnson after two consecutive Super Bowl wins due to conflicts over team building credit.

1995: Super Bowl XXX Win

In the 1995 season, the Dallas Cowboys won Super Bowl XXX under Barry Switzer, after Jerry Jones' ownership.

1996: Appearance on Coach

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

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1998: Inspiration for Baxter Cain 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 three states: Virginia, Delaware, and Texas.

2003: Bill Parcells Hired

In 2003, Jerry Jones hired Bill Parcells as head coach of the Cowboys and promised him complete control over football matters.

2006: Parcells' relationship with Jones deteriorated

In 2006, Bill Parcells' relationship with Jerry Jones deteriorated after Jones signed Terrell Owens.

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: 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: Partnership with Yankee Global Enterprises

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

2008: Playing to Win published

In 2008, the book "Playing to Win" by David Magee was published, in which Jones admitted he handled the firing of Landry poorly.

Playing to Win

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2009: Fine for Violating Gag Order

In 2009, Jerry Jones was fined $100,000 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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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

In 2013, Jerry Jones appeared in a Pepsi commercial.

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 the Cowboys training camp that he had undergone hip replacement surgery. He joked that he would not start the season on the PUP list.

2016: Involvement in Rams Move to Los Angeles

In 2016, Jerry Jones became involved in the St. Louis Rams move back to Los Angeles, brokering 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: 32nd Season as Cowboys Owner

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

March 2022: Legal Action Regarding Paternity Claim

In March 2022, Jerry Jones faced legal action from a 25-year-old woman claiming to be his biological daughter. The woman is the daughter of a former airline employee. Jones had reportedly paid nearly $3 million to the woman and her mother.

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. Jones expressed regret in not doing more to help the Black students feel more accepted.

November 19, 2023: Announcement of Jimmy Johnson's Induction

On November 19, 2023, Jerry Jones announced that Jimmy Johnson would be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor on December 30 of that year.

2023: Reconciliation with Jimmy Johnson

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

2023: Equivalent Value of Cowboys Purchase

In 2023, the $140 million purchase price of the Cowboys in 1989 was equivalent to $300 million.

February 29, 2024: Court Orders Paternity Test

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

November 2024: Net Worth Reported by Forbes

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.