History of Jerry Jones in Timeline
"Jerry" Jones is an American businessman best known as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, an NFL team he bought in 1989. Under his leadership, the team has seen both periods of success and struggle, becoming a significant part of the Dallas community and American football history.
October 13, 1942: Birth of Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones was born on October 13, 1942.
1945: Jerry Jones's Family Moves to Arkansas
In 1945, Jerry Jones's family relocated to North Little Rock, Arkansas.
1945: Jerry Jones's Family Returns to Arkansas
Jerry Jones's family moved back to North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1945.
1957: Jerry Jones Witnesses Racial Tensions During School Integration
In 1957, Jerry Jones was present during a period of racial tensions and school integration in Arkansas.
1957: Jerry Jones Present During School Integration Tension
In 1957, a 14-year-old Jerry Jones was present during an incident at North Little Rock High School as it underwent integration. White students, against the football coach's orders, attempted to prevent six Black students from entering. While Jones stated he was merely a curious bystander, the event later sparked controversy when a photo surfaced in 2022, prompting Jones to express regret for not doing more to support the African-American students.
1960: High School Graduation
Jerry Jones graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1960.
1960: Jerry Jones Graduates High School
Jerry Jones graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1960.
1961: Modern Security Life Insurance Co. Founded
In 1961, Modern Security Life Insurance Co., led by Jerry Jones's father, was founded.
1963: Marriage to Eugenia Chambers
In 1963, Jerry Jones married Eugenia Chambers, whom he met during their time as undergraduate students.
1964: Jerry Jones's College Football Championship Win
Jerry Jones was part of the Arkansas Razorbacks' 1964 college football championship team.
1964: College Football National Championship
Jerry Jones co-captained the University of Arkansas football team to a national championship in 1964.
1964: Jerry Jones Plays Football at the University of Arkansas
Jerry Jones was a co-captain of the 1964 University of Arkansas national championship football team, where he was coached by Frank Broyles and played alongside Jimmy Johnson.
1965: Jerry Jones's Early Business Ventures After College
After graduating college in 1965, Jerry Jones pursued various business ventures, including opening Shakey's Pizza Parlor restaurants and working at his father's insurance company.
1965: Growth of Modern Security Life Insurance Co.
By 1965, Modern Security Life Insurance Co. experienced significant growth in its assets.
1966: Jerry Jones Explores Unsuccessful Business Opportunities
Jerry Jones attempted to purchase the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1966, among other unsuccessful business ventures.
1970: Jerry Jones Earns Master's Degree in Business
Jerry Jones received his master's degree in business in 1970.
1971: Establishment of Buena Vista Animal Paradise
After selling their insurance company in 1971, the Jones family used a portion of their ranch to create Buena Vista Animal Paradise, a tourist attraction featuring exotic animals.
1987: Jimmy Johnson's National Championship Win with the Miami Hurricanes
In 1987, Jimmy Johnson, who would later become the Cowboys' head coach under Jerry Jones, led the University of Miami Hurricanes to a national championship victory.
1987: Firing of Tom Landry
In 1987, there was dissatisfaction with the Cowboys' performance under coach Tom Landry, leading to discussions about potential replacements.
February 25, 1989: Jerry Jones Purchases the Dallas Cowboys
On February 25, 1989, Jerry Jones acquired the Dallas Cowboys from H.R. "Bum" Bright for $140 million.
1989: Jerry Jones's Impact on the NFL's Financial Success
Since Jones's purchase of the Cowboys in 1989, he has played a key role in the NFL's financial growth, notably by securing a lucrative broadcasting deal with Fox.
1989: Jerry Jones Makes Significant Changes to the Cowboys
In 1989, marking a turning point for the Dallas Cowboys, Jones made significant changes including hiring Jimmy Johnson as head coach and later assuming complete control over football matters.
1989: Jerry Jones Purchases the Dallas Cowboys
In 1989, Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million, marking the beginning of his ownership of the franchise.
1992: Dallas Cowboys Win Super Bowl XXVII
The Dallas Cowboys, under Jerry Jones's ownership and with Jimmy Johnson as head coach, won Super Bowl XXVII in 1992.
1993: Departure of Jimmy Johnson
In 1993, despite winning two consecutive Super Bowls, head coach Jimmy Johnson left the Cowboys due to conflicts with Jones over control of personnel decisions.
1995: Dallas Cowboys Secure Victory in Super Bowl XXX
The Dallas Cowboys, now led by coach Barry Switzer, secured victory in Super Bowl XXX in 1995.
1996: Appearance on "Coach"
Jerry Jones made a guest appearance as himself in an episode of the TV show "Coach" in 1996.
1998: Inspiration for "BASEketball" Character and Cameo in "Dallas: War of the Ewings"
In 1998, Jerry Jones served as the inspiration for the character Baxter Cain in the film "BASEketball" and made a cameo appearance as himself in the TV movie "Dallas: War of the Ewings."
October 8, 2003: Jerry Jones Named Least-Favorite Sports Personality in Sports Illustrated Poll
According to a Sports Illustrated poll conducted on October 8, 2003, Jerry Jones was voted the least-favorite sports personality in several states.
2003: Hiring of Bill Parcells
Jerry Jones hired Bill Parcells as the Cowboys' head coach in 2003, initially promising him full control over football operations.
2006: End of Bill Parcells' Tenure
Bill Parcells' tenure as the Cowboys' head coach ended in 2006 after a breakdown in his relationship with Jones, partly due to disagreements over player acquisitions.
2007: Diet Pepsi MAX Commercial
In 2007, Jerry Jones, along with then Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and quarterback Tony Romo, appeared in a television commercial for Diet Pepsi MAX.
September 14, 2008: Fine for Referee Criticism
On September 14, 2008, Jerry Jones received a $25,000 fine from the NFL for publicly criticizing referee Ed Hochuli's calls during a game, marking his first fine by the league.
2008: Formation of Legends Hospitality
In 2008, Jerry Jones partnered with Yankee Global Enterprises to form Legends Hospitality, a company specializing in food, beverage, and stadium operations for entertainment venues.
2008: Publication of "Playing to Win"
David Magee's book "Playing to Win," released in 2008, offered insights into Jerry Jones' management style and his reflections on past decisions, including the handling of coaching changes.
2009: Fine for Violating Gag Order
Jerry Jones was fined $100,000 in 2009 by the NFL for publicly discussing revenue sharing despite a gag order issued by Commissioner Roger Goodell, highlighting the league's strict stance on labor-related discussions.
2010: Appearance on "Entourage"
Jerry Jones appeared as himself in the seventh season of the HBO series "Entourage" in 2010.
July 4, 2012: Appearance on "Dallas"
On July 4, 2012, Jerry Jones appeared as himself in an episode of the TNT series "Dallas" titled "Truth and Consequences."
2013: Narration of Jim Lindsey Documentary and Pepsi Commercial Appearance
In 2013, Jerry Jones narrated a documentary about his former teammate and business partner, Jim Lindsey, and appeared in a Pepsi commercial featuring a humorous encounter with New York Giants fans.
2014: Jerry Jones Receives NFL Executive of the Year Award
Jerry Jones was honored as the NFL Executive of the Year in 2014.
July 2015: Hip Replacement Surgery
Jerry Jones underwent hip replacement surgery in July 2015, an event he addressed publicly with humor, assuring fans he would be ready for the football season.
2016: Involvement in Rams' Relocation
In 2016, Jerry Jones played a significant role in facilitating the St. Louis Rams' relocation back to Los Angeles, a move that sparked controversy among fans and media in St. Louis.
2017: Jerry Jones's Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jerry Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
December 2019: Net Worth Reported by Forbes
In December 2019, Forbes estimated Jerry Jones' net worth to be $8.5 billion, primarily attributed to his ownership of the Dallas Cowboys.
2020: Jerry Jones's Tenure as Cowboys Owner
The 2020 NFL season marked Jerry Jones's 32nd year as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys.
March 2022: Paternity Claim
In March 2022, a 25-year-old woman filed a legal action claiming that Jerry Jones is her biological father, stemming from a past relationship Jones had with the woman's mother.
March 2022: Paternity Lawsuit Filed Against Jerry Jones
In March 2022, a woman claiming to be Jerry Jones's biological daughter filed a legal paternity lawsuit against him.
November 2022: Jerry Jones Expresses Regret Over Inaction During School Integration
In November 2022, a photo from 1957 surfaced showing Jerry Jones as a bystander during school integration in Arkansas, leading him to express regret for not actively supporting Black students.
November 2022: Photo of Teenage Jerry Jones at School Integration Incident Surfaces
In November 2022, a photo from 1957 emerged showing a 14-year-old Jerry Jones present during a confrontation at North Little Rock High School, where White students were trying to block six African-American students from entering. Jones, who was on the football team, claimed he was there out of curiosity and didn't fully grasp the situation at the time. He has since expressed remorse for not aiding the Black students in feeling more welcomed.
November 19, 2023: Announcement of Jimmy Johnson's Induction into the Cowboys Ring of Honor
On November 19, 2023, Jerry Jones announced that former Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson would be inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
2023: Jerry Jones Inducts Jimmy Johnson into the Cowboys Ring of Honor
In 2023, Jerry Jones mended his relationship with Jimmy Johnson, inducting him into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
2023: The Value of the Dallas Cowboys Today
Today, the Dallas Cowboys are estimated to be worth $300 million, a significant increase from their value in 1989.
February 29, 2024: Court-Ordered Paternity Test
On February 29, 2024, a court ruled that Jerry Jones must undergo a paternity test following a legal claim by a 25-year-old woman asserting he is her biological father.