The Life And Career Of Bert Jones (Story)

shot of the Indianapolis Colts helmet — Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Long before Peyton Manning took the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl glory, Bert Jones was considered the savior of the franchise.

After a memorable college career at LSU, “The Ruston Rifle” was drafted by the Baltimore Colts to replace departing legend Johnny Unitas.

Baltimore Colts QB Bert Jones getting ready to throw the ball about 80 yards or so. pic.twitter.com/AsVYjuxqly

— SportsPaper (@SportsPaperInfo) November 3, 2015

Jones then led the Colts to the playoffs three different times and was the NFL MVP in 1976.

His promising future started to derail two years later due to injuries and mediocre Baltimore teams.

Things got so bad that, during a 1980 game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Jones was sacked an NFL record 12 times.

In 1982 he spent a final season with the Los Angeles Rams before retiring at age 31.

Since then, former NFL players and front office personnel have commented that Jones could have been one of the best quarterbacks in league history.

This is the story of Bert Jones.

Born into Football

Bertram “Bert” Hays Jones was born on September 7, 1951 in Ruston, Louisiana.

At the time of his birth, Jones’s father, Dub, was a receiver for the Cleveland Browns and helped the franchise win two AAFC Championships and three NFL titles.

Bert was only a few months old when his father tied an NFL record by scoring six touchdowns in a single game against the Chicago Bears.

With Alvin Kamara's record setting performance on Christmas day, let's not forget about Ruston's Dub Jones. In 1951, he also had six touchdowns (4 rushing, 2 receiving). A few years ago, I spent an afternoon with the living legend. pic.twitter.com/QV0LKntYam

— Aaron Dietrich (@AaronsAces) December 27, 2020

Dub Jones retired as a player after the 1955 season then became an assistant coach for the team in the 1960s.

Having a father who played and coached in the NFL gave Bert an early taste of what was to come.

“Adjusting to the NFL as a player wasn’t that hard, because I grew up in it,” said Jones in 1997. “Guys like Paul Warfield weren’t just great players to me; they were friends. Same with Jim Brown. I washed his jock and cleaned his locker every day.”

Jones developed a love of football watching his father and an equal fondness for throwing things, especially rocks.

“Best dang rock thrower in Lincoln County,” said Dub Jones in 1976, “and if you can flang a rock real good, you can flang anything.”

“The Ruston Rifle”

It didn’t take long for Bert to graduate from throwing rocks to throwing the pigskin and he developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Louisiana.

As a signal caller for Ruston High School, Jones’s arm was so strong and accurate that he was given the nickname “The Ruston Rifle.”

Happy birthday to my friend BERT JONES—The Ruston Rifle! As authentic, nice—and talented—as you will ever meet. pic.twitter.com/aa7O89ybhn

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) September 7, 2020

Years later, Jones would attribute his prep success to his coach, Hoss Garrett, who also coached his father in the early 1940s.

“It didn’t matter if you were the star quarterback or if you were the guy who was never going to get into the ball game, he made you feel you were important to the football team and everybody had the team concept. What a great mentor to me personally, what a great coach he was, just a fine, fine up-standing gentleman,” Jones said in 2018.

When it came time to choose a college football program, the Rifle could have picked Tulane, where his father attended for two years.

However, the lure of LSU was too much to pass up and Jones committed to the Tigers.

“In my mindset I wanted to play in the biggest arena that I could play in with the most competitive ball I could play in order to further my opportunities and career down the road. So I chose LSU,” said Jones.

Talented Tiger

In 1969, Jones was unable to compete on the LSU varsity team as a freshman due to NCAA rules at the time.

Then, during his sophomore year in 1970, he was part of a two quarterback system implemented by head coach Charlie McClendon and split snaps with senior Buddy Lee.

The Tigers lost their first game of the season to Texas A&M before reeling off seven straight wins including victories over Auburn and Alabama.

Happy Birthday to the Ruston Rifle, Bert Jones! 71 yrs old today. 3,225 passing yds & 28 TDs; 12-4-1 as a starter from 1970-72. 1972 All American pic.twitter.com/z2FOTaxRR4

— Vintage LSU Football (@vintagelsuftb) September 7, 2022

LSU finished the season 9-2 overall and met the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Orange Bowl, losing a close game, 17-12.

Jones did his part when he was under center and completed 52% of his passes for 864 yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions.

Jones Takes Control

With Lee having graduated, Jones split playing time with Paul Lyons before eventually taking over the reins of the Tiger program in late 1971.

Playing with confidence and a no-holds-barred attitude, Jones got LSU off to a solid 5-1 start before two consecutive losses to Ole Miss and Alabama.

Two weeks after the loss to the Crimson Tide, Jones and the 14th-ranked Tigers thoroughly embarrassed seventh ranked Notre Dame, 28-8.

After a season ending victory over Tulane, LSU played Iowa State in the Sun Bowl.

During the contest, Jones uncorked a 77 yard pass to Andy Hamilton to put the Tigers at the Cyclone four yard line just before halftime.

Jersey number: 7

Number of candles today: 70

Big happy birthday to Bert Jones 🎂#RustonRifle #LSU 🏈 pic.twitter.com/81BSnKrjdV

— Walking With Tigers (@LSUTigersBook) September 7, 2021

Even though LSU couldn’t punch the ball in for a score, Jones’s pass set a program record for longest completion.

In the second half, the Tiger offense exploded.

Jones threw three touchdown passes, ran for another, and was named the game’s MVP after a resounding 33-15 win.

The Ruston Rifle ended his junior year with 945 passing yards, nine touchdowns, four interceptions, and four rushing touchdowns.

His passing yards led the SEC that year.

Jones Shocks Ole Miss

In 1972, Jones finally became the Tigers sole quarterback and accounted for a career-best 1,446 yards (a school record at the time), 14 touchdowns, seven picks and four more scores on the ground.

Through the first six weeks of the season, LSU was undefeated and ranked sixth in the country.

Next up was a contest against Ole Miss in what should have been an easy win for the Tigers.

Instead, it was anything but.

Jones scored an early touchdown and LSU had a 10-6 advantage at halftime.

In the third quarter, Ole Miss safety Harry Harrison picked off Jones and the Rebels took advantage a few plays later with a field goal to increase their lead, 16-10.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Rebels attempted another field goal but missed, giving Jones and LSU the ball with just over three minutes left.

Staying cool and calm, the Rifle led the Tigers down field and had LSU perched on the Ole Miss 10 yard line with four seconds left.

After the snap, Jones faked a draw play then threw a pass that was knocked away by the Rebels.

Immediately, Ole Miss fans stormed the field, believing the game was over.

Not so fast, as the game clock still showed a second left.

In 1972, undefeated @LSUFootball was down 16-10 against Ole Miss with :01 left on the clock.

One second was all Bert Jones needed.

📺: Saturdays in the South Part 4 pic.twitter.com/tmRbsdBsFg

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 25, 2019

Once the crowd left the field, Jones took the next snap and spied running back Brad Davis, who was open by a hair.

“I took two steps and was wide open,” Davis said smiling in a 2022 interview. “Bert saw that I was wide open and decided to throw to me. I lost the ball in the lights, but it hit my right hand. Harry Harrison hit me as soon as the ball arrived. It was a one handed catch. (Harrison) knocked me into the (end zone) flag. I was about two to three yards from the flag. There was a little luck involved.”

With no time left on the clock, LSU kicked the PAT and won the game, though the outcome was heavily contested by Ole Miss.

“We played our guts out and had the game jerked out from us. We got hosed,” said Harrison.

Jones Ends His College Career

LSU would end the regular season 9-1-1 before facing the Tennessee Volunteers in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.

LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones warms up in the Astrodome before his last collegiate game in the 1972 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl against Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/T3YXBdj58M

— Astrodome Conservancy (@AstrodomeFans) September 17, 2022

Despite scoring twice on the ground, Jones couldn’t propel the Tigers to victory and lost his last game in an LSU uniform, 24-17.

During his senior year, Jones set the LSU career completions record, was the leading passer in the SEC for the second time, was voted a consensus All-American, first-team All-SEC, and was fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting.

He was also named the Sporting News Player of the Year.

In his college career, Jones passed for 3,255 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions and also had eight touchdowns rushing.

His passing yards and passing touchdowns set program records along with his attempts (418) and completions (221).

Jones was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jones Replaces a Legend

In 1972, Johnny Unitas was playing in his 17th season as the quarterback for the Baltimore Colts.

He had become a legend for turning the franchise around and getting the organization to two Super Bowls, winning one.

However, his arm was failing him by ‘72 and Unitas was no longer the player he once was.

Baltimore had gotten to the brink of another Super Bowl in 1971 but lost to Miami in the AFC Championship game and then went 5-9 in 1972.

Knowing that Unitas’s best days were long behind him, Baltimore traded their long-time ace to the San Diego Chargers in January of 1973.

Random sports reference of the day: Bert Jones, Colts quarterback from 1973-1981, often forgotten or not remembered at all. Star at LSU; drafted second overall by Baltimore in the '73 draft. Asked to replace legend Johnny Unitas and did so admirably. Became the NFL's MVP in '76. pic.twitter.com/4drHAm48yV

— Jim Burton (@SayHelloToJimbo) March 21, 2022

Then, the Colts selected Jones with the second overall pick of the 1973 NFL Draft in a plan to replace Unitas.

Years later, Jones shared that he didn’t feel any pressure to replace the legend.

“I don’t think initially I felt any pressure,” said Jones. “Of course, I held him in high esteem. I was a fan of the NFL since my father [Dub] played and then coached for the Cleveland Browns until I was a senior in high school. So I was pretty dialed in on what was going on. I thought it was a great place to go and an opportunity to play quarterback where a great one had recently just played.”

Baltimore was excited to get Jones, believing it was getting the best quarterback in the draft.

“He [Jones] had it all,” said former Baltimore general manager and NFL executive Ernie Accorsi. “Athletic, accurate, had a rifle for an arm and not only could run but was fast and powerful. He was smart, too, and could see the field and find the right receiver. He excelled under pressure, was a great leader and could carry a team on his back.”

The Colts didn’t want to throw their new quarterback to the wolves and started Marty Domres over Jones in 1973.

Happy 68th birthday to "The Ruston Rifle", Bert Jones! #Colts pic.twitter.com/YXhkCaxR63

— Four Verts 🏈 (@FourVerticals_) September 7, 2019

When Jones did see action, he found the going rough and passed for 539 yards, 4 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a rookie.

Jones Becomes Baltimore’s Starter

Indianapolis Colts helmet on the field — (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

With Jones and Domres splitting time in 1973, the Colts went 4-10.

Things got even worse in 1974 when the team won just two games under Howard Schnellenberger and Joe Thomas.

Neither coach could decide on which quarterback to start and Jones and Domres timeshared again.

Finally, in 1975, new coach Ted Marchibroda announced that Jones would be the full time starter.

He responded with 2,483 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight picks and led the NFL in interception rate with 2.3%.

With Jones behind center, Lydell Mitchell in the backfield, Roger Carr at receiver, and a more balanced roster, Baltimore went 10-4 in 1975.

Bert Jones the Ruston Rifle. Colts. pic.twitter.com/uy6GFHexiM

— 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩 (@HelmetAddict) February 7, 2017

During the divisional round playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jones was sidelined with an injury early in the game.

Domres replaced him but played poorly and Marchibroda sent Jones back onto the field.

Jones got the Colts to the Steelers three yard line before Pittsburgh linebacker Jack Ham knocked the ball out of his hand on the next play.

Fellow linebacker Andy Russell scooped up the ball and ran it the length of the field for the game clinching touchdown.

The media would later joke that Russell’s return was the longest and slowest in history.

However, the Colts weren’t laughing as their season ended, 28-10.

NFL MVP

The loss to Pittsburgh was painful, but Jones and the Colts were ready to try again in 1976.

Baltimore began the season on fire, winning eight of its first nine games before finishing with an overall record of 11-3.

Jones was electric and passed for 3,104 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine picks.

40 years ago today Bert Jones led the Baltimore Colts to a 33-12 thumping of the Jets. It was one of only "5" 300-yard passing games in 1977 (the Ruston Rifle had "2" of them.) This ended a 29-4 run the Colts had between 1975-77. pic.twitter.com/WodgYzYZbD

— CL (@jones7carr81) November 20, 2017

His passing yards led the NFL and Jones was voted to his only Pro Bowl and selected as a first-team All Pro.

Additionally, he was named the NFL MVP and the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.

“The award was just kind of a byproduct of the success that we collectively had as a team,” commented Jones years later.

The Colts took their top ranked offense into the playoffs and squared off with Pittsburgh, hoping to get some payback from the year before.

Bert Jones of the Baltimore Colts was the NFL MVP in 1976. pic.twitter.com/Anz9mIZFvF

— Miles Commodore (@miles_commodore) April 30, 2022

It was not meant to be as the Steelers obliterated Baltimore with 526 yards of total offense against the Colts 170 yards in an easy 40-14 victory.

One year later, Jones led the NFL with 224 completions and threw for 2,686 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, leading to a second-team All-Pro nod.

The team ended 1977 with a 10-4 record and went toe-to-toe with the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round.

Baltimore led the Silver and Black by three with under three minutes left when Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler found tight end Dave Casper for 42 yards, setting up the game tying field goal.

The play would go down in history as “Ghost to the Post” (“Ghost” was Casper’s nickname).

Oakland would beat the Colts in two overtimes, 37-31.

Injuries Take their Toll

During a preseason contest against the Detroit Lions in 1978, Jones was leveled by Lions defensive end Al Baker.

The hit separated Jones’ shoulder and he was limited to three starts.

Without their leader, the Colts fell to 5-11.

In 1979, Jones was ready to roll when his shoulder was injured again in the first week against Kansas City.

Bert Jones of the Baltimore Colts looks to throw downfield to Raymond Chester, mid to late 70s #BaltimoreColts pic.twitter.com/X80yITrHys

— Sports Days Past (@SportsDaysPast) September 1, 2018

After the Chiefs Sylvester Hicks re-injured Jones’ throwing shoulder, he was replaced by backup Greg Landry.

Four plays later, Jones tried returning to the game only to leave again after two plays.

“When Bert came off the field, I could see he was in a lot of pain,” said trainer Tim Kirschner. “I put the shoulder through a range of motion. It hadn’t been separated again, the ligaments hadn’t been torn. He threw a few balls, and they seemed to have a lot of zip. Then he went back in and he couldn’t throw, so that was it. We iced it down. Look, it’s a long season—15 more games.”

Marchibroda felt his quarterback’s pain after the 14-0 loss.

“I just don’t know. The kid tried to come back and go some more, and he just couldn’t do it.” Marchibroda said.

Jones sets an Embarrassing Record

Although he was still feeling the effects of his shoulder injuries, Jones returned to start 15 games in both 1980 and 1981.

He passed for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns both years but also accumulated 41 total interceptions.

The supporting cast around Jones wasn’t great and the team won a combined nine games in ‘80 and ‘81.

🐦OTD in 1980: The St. Louis Cardinals defense sacked Baltimore Colts QB Bert Jones 12x, tying an NFL record, on their way to a 17-10 win! The Cards #1 draft pick in 1980, DE Curtis Greer led the way w/4 sacks of his own while Pat Tilley & OJ Anderson provided the TDs. #RedSea pic.twitter.com/XvUkNQ9Phu

— 80s Football Cards 🏈 🙌 (@80sFootballCard) October 26, 2019

Baltimore’s offensive line was weak and Jones was sacked an NFL record 12 times against the St. Louis Cardinals in a Week 8 game during the 1980 season.

Jones Feuds with Irsay

To make matters worse for Jones, he yelled at teammate Curtis Dickey for not picking up a block in a 1981 game against the Jets and the incident was labeled as racially motivated.

Many in the press felt that Jones was unfairly criticizing his black teammate, Dickey, and taking out his frustrations on everyone else but himself.

Jones was shocked at the allegations that he was a racist and even more perplexed at why the Baltimore organization didn’t defend him.

“The only people who came to my defense were my black teammates and former teammates,” Jones said.

When the 1981 season mercifully ended, Jones filed a grievance against the Colts and owner Robert Irsay.

Allegedly, Irsay responded with, “I’ll kick his ass right out [of Baltimore]. Frank Kush [whom Irsay hired to coach the Colts in ’82] doesn’t like him either, doesn’t like his attitude.”

Jones then unleashed a tirade of his own.

“What’s wrong with the Colts is the whole attitude of the whole organization, starting at the top,” said Jones. “How long will it take to change? Well, I may only have five or six more years to play. It may take longer than that. Our situation is unique. Neither our owner nor our general manager (Dick Szymanski) wants to take any responsibility or blame for anything. Their rule seems to be, ‘Silence is golden. Stay off my back.’ That attitude is definitely reflected throughout the whole organization.”

Jones also expressed his disgust at being viewed as a prima donna who was too good for the team.

“Four years ago, if I’d gotten mad at a player during a game–and I did lots of times–people would say, ‘What a feisty competitor that Jones is,'” said Jones. “This year, I probably didn’t use enough discretion that time I got mad at Curtis (Dickey), but everybody said, ‘Jones is a prima donna, a team wrecker.'”

Jones Gets Traded

The writing was clearly on the wall and Jones made it known that he wanted out of Baltimore.

Irsay was only too happy to oblige and traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for first and second round picks.

We had season tickets from 1973 to 1995 and I have zero recollection of Bert Jones ever playing a snap for the Rams…… pic.twitter.com/KjANKcJ12N

— Holmey in Newport Beach (AOMICdM) (@USCHolmey) March 24, 2021

Jones was excited at the prospect of playing for the Rams and team owner Georgia Frontiere and the two even appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

“The best thing that could have happened to me, did happen,” said Jones. “Georgia wants a winner, and what Georgia wants, I’m going to try to get her.”

When news broke about the trade, several rival general managers were shocked at what Baltimore received in return.

“In the personnel files of most NFL teams, Bert Jones is listed as a player of declining skills,” said one NFC general manager.

As it turned out, the naysayers were correct.

After four starts, 527 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions, Jones was lost for the rest of 1982 due to a neck injury.

LA went 2-7 in the strike-shortened season and Jones decided he’d had enough.

When the season concluded, he retired after 10 years.

“They [doctors] didn’t tell me I shouldn’t play,” Jones said in May 1983. “They told me I couldn’t play. I love the game and my heart wanted me to stay in it. But for the first time in 10 years, I’m worried about keeping my body the way it is now.”

During his career, Jones passed for 18,190 yards, 124 touchdowns, 101 interceptions, and rushed for 1,429 yards, and 14 scores.

He was a two-time All-Pro, one-time Pro Bowler, NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and NFL passing yards leader once, and received the George Halas Courage Award in 1979.

“There aren’t any happy endings in the NFL. I certainly wish I hadn’t broken my neck. That’s five, six, seven years cut short, and with the rule changes, who knows how long I could have played?” remarked Jones.

Retirement and a Near Comeback

After retiring, Jones returned home to Ruston and devoted his life to the outdoors.

Besides being one of the greats of football, Bert Jones is also a noted outdoorsman. Talks the wonderful opportunities in the outdoors in LA

— TheTimFletcherShow (@FletchWorldWide) August 18, 2014

He was the host of a fishing show on ESPN for a decade, operated a lumber business with his brother Bill, and became a member of the Louisiana Fisheries Commission.

In his role with the Commission, Jones helped the state purchase 200,000 acres of land that was then devoted to public use.

“The goal was to maintain property and protect wildlife,” Jones said in 1997. “Being a good steward for the land is the norm for a Jones.”

In 1990, Jones competed in the retiree category of the NFL’s first Quarterback Challenge.

He finished first in his category and third overall out of all the competitors.

Jones’s performance raised eyebrows, and despite the fact that he hadn’t suited up in eight years, the San Diego Chargers approached him about playing.

“He’s got that rocket arm, he’s agile, he looks . . . like he never missed a day of football,” Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard said after watching Jones. “Bert said he’d love to play again, but he’s not optimistic about getting {medical} clearance,” Beathard said. “I told Bert if there would be any risk, we wouldn’t be interested.”

Ultimately, the transaction never took place and Jones stayed put.

Lasting Legacy

In 2016, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked which quarterback he would pick to coach if he had a choice of any signal caller in history.

“I would put Bert Jones up there,” Belichick said. “I absolutely would put Bert Jones up there.”

Most of the free world had no idea who the coach was referring to, but he continued.

“Bert Jones was a tremendous player,” Belichick continued. “A tremendous player. Very athletic. Once he hurt his shoulder, he was never really the same, but it wasn’t like he was ever not a good player. Some guys are up and down or whatever, but he was always good.”

Belichick’s assessment of Jones’s career is echoed by many other football historians.

If Bill Belichick could choose one quarterback from NFL history to lead his team, who would he choose?

Bert Jones.https://t.co/ToXou23Um0 pic.twitter.com/R6Y0Tzop8d

— NESN (@NESN) November 28, 2016

Former Baltimore general manager Ernie Accorsi saw first hand what Jones could have accomplished.