The action taken to avoid a $50 fine by former New York Giant WR Homer Jones created an iconic trend that exists day.
Jones, who spiked a football to avoid the financial penalty that had been instituted by then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle for throwing the ball into the stands after a score, died at the age of 82. He suffered from lung cancer.
Jones scored against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965 and threw the football into the ground.
“I was fixing to throw it into the grandstand,” Jones told ESPN in 2015. “But just as I was raising my arm, the reality snapped into my head. Mr. Rozelle would have fined me. That was a lot of money in those days. So I just threw the ball down into the end zone, into the grass. Folks got excited, and I did it for the rest of my career.”
Jones was a star for the Giants, playing with them from 1964-69. He made a pair of Pro Bowls.
He had 214 of his 224 NFL catches for New York. Jones also had all but one of his 36 TD receptions as a Giant.
“Homer Jones had a unique combination of speed and power and was a threat to score whenever he touched the ball,” John Mara, the Giants president, and chief executive officer, said.
“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.”
His one kickoff return for a touchdown came in a game that lives in NFL history. Jones returned a kick 94 yards for a score in the Cleveland Browns’ 31-21 victory over the New York Jets in 1970.
That contest was the first Monday Night Football game.
His quarterback with the Giants, Fran Tarkenton, fondly remembered Jones.
Homer was a 2x Pro Bowler, faster than Olympic gold medal sprinter and Super Bowl champion, Bullet Bob Hayes, and the inventor of the touchdown 'spike' celebration. Homer, we had some great years playing for the @Giants and I will miss you dearly my friend. #RIPHOMER #NFL #giants pic.twitter.com/se13DB2YP2
— Francis Tarkenton (@Fran_Tarkenton) June 15, 2023
