Former NFL wide receiver Homer Jones, who is recognized for being the first NFL player to spike the football after a touchdown, died at age 82 after a battle with lung cancer on Wednesday.
His daughter, Lacarroll Jones Nickelberry, confirmed the death to KLTV-TV in northeast Texas. Jones was born, lived and graduated high school in Pittsburg, Texas. Jones is recognized as the first player to spike a football, having performed the celebration after a score in a 1965 game for the Giants.
“Homer Jones had a unique combination of speed and power and was a threat to score whenever he touched the ball,” Giants president John Mara said in a press release. “He was one of the first players [if not the first] to spike the ball in the end zone after scoring a touchdown and he quickly became a fan favorite. I remember him as an easygoing, friendly individual who was well liked by his teammates and coaches.”
New York drafted Jones in the 20th round of the 1963 NFL draft but he had already signed with Oilers of the American Football League. After he injured his knee in training camp, he was released by Houston. But the Giants gave him a shot, and he spent six seasons there, recording 214 receptions for 4,845 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Jones finished his career with the Browns in 1970. His 22.26-yard average per catch remains the highest mark in NFL history for receivers with at least 200 catches.
Nickelberry told KLTV that Jones is survived by six children.
